The Detroit Lions have started evaluating potential trade options to replace Aidan Hutchinson, but Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday his team does not need to make a move to win the Super Bowl.
"Yeah. I mean, listen, my job is to coach what’s here and I’m going to coach the hell out of them, and we are as a staff," Campbell said. "And so, yeah, I do (think we can win with what we have). And if we get somebody, great. If we don’t, these are our guys. And the coaches know that. This is what we came into camp with, this is why we develop talent, and it’s next man up and they’ve got to be ready to go.”
Hutchinson, who leads the NFL with 7½ sacks, broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in the Lions' 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
On social media Monday, Aidan Hutchinson reposted a message from his family's Instagram page, saying that his surgery was successful.
"In light of Aidan's injury last night, we want to thank you all for the outpouring of love and well wishes," the post said. "Your support through this shocking situation means so much to our family.
"We are blessed to share that Aidan's surgery was a success. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who have taken such good care of him."
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He's the third Lions edge defender to suffer a potentially season-ending injury in the past month. Defensive end Marcus Davenport tore his triceps in a Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals and is out for the season, and outside linebacker Derrick Barnes injured his knee in the same game and could miss the rest of the year. In addition, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that defensive tackle Kyle Peko suffered a torn pec and will undergo season-ending surgery, another blow to the Lions' defensive line depth.
The Lions shuffled personnel at linebacker to account for Barnes' absence, moving Alex Anzalone to strong-side linebacker and using Malcolm Rodriguez in Anzalone's role as their primary weak-side linebacker. And Josh Paschal made his first start of the season Sunday in place of Davenport.
BIRKETT: Brad Holmes owes it to Super Bowl-contending Lions to add DE after Aidan Hutchinson injury
Campbell said the Lions are counting on a host of internal options to replace Hutchinson for the time being, but are open to adding help from outside the organization.
"This comes up every year, and it’s not like (general manager Brad Holmes) doesn’t look," Campbell said. "So he’s doing what he’s been doing, he’s looking. Is there somebody out there that could potentially help us? What is it going to cost? And so those things will always come up, but just because that’s there, it doesn’t mean we’re going to do it. And it’s got to be right if it is. Everything’s got to be right."
Paschal has played well in Davenport's absence the past two games, and linebacker Trevor Nowaske and practice squad call-up Isaac Ukwu finished the game Sunday at defensive end. Nowaske had his first career sack, while Ukwu had two tackles in 36 snaps.
Campbell insisted he has "a lot of faith" in the ability of the entire Lions defensive line room to fill Hutchinson's void. And he said the team will take time to evaluate its internal options before jumping into any trade.
"Honestly, where we’re at now, we’re not in a hurry," he said. "I mean, I believe in the guys that are here. I believe in that D-line. Doesn’t mean we’re not looking, we’re not evaluating. Brad is, that’s his job and he’s good at it and we’ll take it as it comes. But our eyes are open, and we want to make sure that we have what we need here.”
'Our crew'
Campbell choked back some emotion Monday when he was asked about receiving a game ball for Sunday's win over the Cowboys from quarterback Jared Goff.
Campbell, who played tight end for the Cowboys from 2003-05, awarded Goff a game ball in the locker room for his 315-yard, three-touchdown pass day, but Goff gave it back, calling Campbell "our (bleeping rock).
"Listen, I love those guys," Campbell said. "I love our players, they’re the best and I appreciate it. And the coaching staff and everybody. But look, it’s not like I’m the only one from Texas. (Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is) from Texas, there’s a number of us. Brock Wright. So that was a great team effort and listen, man, I love those guys and I wouldn’t trade any of them for anybody right now. This is our crew.”
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: Dan Campbell: Lions looking to add DE help to replace Hutchinson, but 'not in a hurry'
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