Detroit Lions keep open Aidan Hutchinson return from leg injury for Super Bowl 2025

Aidan Hutchinson's season is likely over, but Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he's keeping the door open for the NFL sack leader to return for the 2025 Super Bowl .

Hutchinson fractured the tibia and fibula in his left leg in the third quarter of Sunday's 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Campbell said he faces a four-to-six-month rehab .

"I would never count Hutch out, ever," Campbell said Monday afternoon at the Lions' practice facility in Allen Park. "So yeah, probably long road. But I would never count him out and I would say if anybody can make it back it’s him."

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Hutchinson broke his left leg early in Sunday's third quarter, when his leg whipped into teammate Alim McNeill's leg as he sacked Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Trainers immobilized Hutchinson's leg on the field and whisked him by medical cart to an ambulance waiting to take him to nearby Baylor White Medical Center.

Hutchinson underwent surgery on his tibia (shin bone) and fibula (calf bone) Sunday night, and remained in Dallas on Monday . He is expected to return to Michigan this week.

The Lions (4-1) visit the undefeated Minnesota Vikings (5-0) on Sunday and close the regular season against the Vikings on Jan. 5 at Ford Field. The playoffs start the following weekend, on Jan. 11., and Super Bowl 59 is Feb. 9 in New Orleans, a little less than four months away.

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While taking part in any portion of the playoffs would make for an aggressive return, Campbell said it's important Hutchinson has a goal to aim for in his rehab.

"Just knowing Hutch, he’s got one of those rare — once he believes in it, he can will himself to find a way to get back and one of those guys, the mind can heal the body and he’ll find the next best thing and do whatever it takes to get back," Campbell said. "I think it’s huge, man. You know it’s just sitting right out there. 'I can do this, I can get back. We’ll be in a position to where I’ll be able to come back and help,' and I do, I think it’s huge."

The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 5 after Week 9.

Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline" at 7 p.m., Oct. 21, at 24 Seconds Bar & Grill in Berkley, and from 5:30-7 p.m., Oct. 22 at Stadium Cards & Comics in Ypsilanti. Order your copy here .

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions keep open Aidan Hutchinson return from leg injury for Super Bowl 2025