Aidan Hutchinson's injury has been confirmed as being a broken tibia and fibula , with the Detroit Lions star having already undergone emergency surgery in Texas .
The gruesome injury left fans cringing after seeing his leg collide with teammate Alim McNeil before he fell to the ground in agony, where he went straight to a local hospital for treatment to avoid further complications. He is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2025 season.
Hutchinson was in the midst of an incredible season with a league-high 7.5 sacks and looking like he'd emerged into one of the best pass-rushers in the league - leaving a huge hole for the Lions ' defense to fill.
Unfortunately for the Lions, Hutchinson is not the first starting pass-rusher they have lost to a season-ending injury - after Marcus Davenport started the year strongly before suffering a torn tricep and ruling him out for the year.
Detroit is now down to its third and fourth-choice edge rushers, and will almost certainly now be looking for upgrades while knowing that they're in their Super Bowl window - with a team capable of competing even without Hutchinson. Mirror US Sports has identified three players who the Lions are likely to hold internal discussions on this week, with all eyes on their activities before this month's trade deadline.
Jadeveon Clowney (Carolina Panthers)
The Panthers have no use for Clowney at this point - an ageing player who will be looking to compete for a Super Bowl while currently being on one of the league's struggling teams.
Clowney has always been somewhat of a tease, as a player. He always ranks highly in terms of his pass-rushing pressure while being a stout player against the run - but he's yet to have a season with 10 sacks and only has 52 in 10 years with six different teams. That being said, he's coming off on of his more productive years in 2023, with 9.5 sacks and being the best rusher on the league's best defense.
He's still a huge upgrade on what the Lions currently have and has shown the capabilities of dominating in any given game. Clowney would cost very little to acquire.
Trade Scenario...
Detroit Lions receive: Jadeveon Clowney
Carolina Panthers receive: 2026 sixth-round pick
Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals)
The Bengals have had a 2-4 start to the season, and while they still look to be playing in Super Bowl contenders, it does feel like this year won't be the one for them.
Hendrickson has already asked to be traded this past off-season, and is in the last year of his deal with the Bengals looking set to lose him for nothing. He is coming off the back of a sensational season with 17.5 sacks in 2023, ranking as the team's best defensive player. But Cincinnati must save cap space to Ja'Marr Chase and find themselves in a tough position to extend Hendrickson.
Hendrickson is a like-for-like replacement for Hutchinson, and could be paired with him for years to come when the former Michigan Wolverine returns next year.
Trade Scenario...
Detroit Lions receive: Trey Hendrickson
Carolina Panthers receive: 2025 second-round pick
Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders)
This deal feels incredibly unlikely, but it's one that fans will be hoping the Lions can pull off - bringing Crosby to his hometown team. While Crosby has constantly stated he wants to retire a Raider, and has the logo tattoo'd on his arm, a move to Detroit is likely the only one he'd give the greenlight too.
The only player who the Lions could get who would be an upgrade at the position, Crosby has been nothing short of sensation over the past few years - being one of few true 'game-wreckers' at pass-rusher in the NFL, with opposing teams having to account for him every play.
Acquiring Crosby would not be cheap. It would likely cost around the same as trading for a quarterback. But if they're able to pull it off, it'd be one that greatly enhances their Super Bowl chances. Not just now, but for the next three years.
Trade Scenario...
Detroit Lions receive : Maxx Crosby
Las Vegas Raiders receive : 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2026 fourth-round pick, Hendon Hooker (QB), James Houston (EDGE)
Other players the Lions are likely to consider
- Haason Reddick (New York Jets)
- Josh Uche (New England Patriots)
- Za'Darius Smith (Cleveland Browns)
- Bryce Huff (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Boye Mafe (Seattle Seahawks)
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