MINNEAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions struggled to generate a consistent pass rush in their first game without Aidan Hutchinson on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but the injured defensive end said he's "doing great" in his first comments since he underwent surgery for a broken left leg.
"I’m doing great, just pushing through," Hutchinson said in a video posted Sunday on the social media account of The Detroit Times . "Got to see the Lions win today. It’s a big win. So happy for them and we’re going to keep pushing and just keep taking this thing day by day."
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The Lions squandered an 11-point fourth-quarter lead only to rally and beat the Vikings in dramatic fashion , 31-29, on Jakes Bates' 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds to play.
The Lions had four sacks on Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, but got just two quarterback hits by their defensive line and matched a season-high for points allowed.
Josh Paschal, who had a sack as an unblocked rusher, and Isaac Ukwu started at defensive end, and Mekhi Wingo played heavy rotational snaps at the position as Paschal left twice but returned with an undisclosed injury.
Linebackers Malcolm Rodriguez, Jack Campbell and Trevor Nowaske also had sacks for the Lions, who used more extra-man blitzes to make up for the absence of Hutchinson and his NFL-best 7½ sacks.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said he wanted to watch the tape before giving a full accounting of the Lions' pass rush, but was pleased at first glance with how his defensive ends played.
"There was a couple times things felt a little long, like, 'Man, we're covering for a bit,'" Campbell said. "But I can't say that, that caught my eye, like, 'Oh, man.' So I need to watch the tape. I know we battled in there. And Mac (Alim McNeill) and Levi (Onwuzurike) and (D.J.) Reader, Paschal. (Pat) O'Conner came in a little bit, Ukwu. And so I thought by committee, those guys battled in there and I think really we did what we had to do. Did what we needed to do for today and for that win."
Hutchinson broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg against the Cowboys and is expected to be out four to six months. He could return if the Lions make the Super Bowl.
In his video and in comments posted on his Hutch House Instagram page , Hutchinson indicated he watched the Lions play from his suburban Detroit home.
Hutchinson, in his video, said he's thankful for all the support he's received since his injury.
"What’s up ya’ll," he said. "We are one week out from surgery. The first days were a little rough but now we are on the road to recovery and just attacking each day. I want to thank all the kids who made me the videos, I want to thank all my teammates, all the fans, all the support all over social media. It’s been amazing."
Anzalone said Hutchinson reached out in support during Sunday's game, sending a text message that Anzalone received after the game in the locker room. The text appeared to be a celebratory text after a tackle Anzalone made, he said.
"It's hard losing him but at the same time we have to keep going and keep going for him, too," Anzalone said. "But yeah, guys stepped up collectively and we just have to keep going."
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' Aidan Hutchinson 'just pushing through' in recovery from broken leg
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