Aidan Hutchinson’s injury sickened Michigan State for a variety of reasons.
It was a horrific injury that resulted in a broken tibia and fibula, and will go down as one of the worst sports injuries ever. It happened to one of the Lions’ most popular members, a Michigan born and raised star who excelled so well at the University of Michigan that he became a Heisman Trophy finalist. And every Lions fan understood what the injury meant. Detroit’s Super Bowl dreams took a huge hit.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell is considering going to the Super Bowl without his best defensive player. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
Hutchinson was one of the few favorites for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and more than that, he was arguably the most important member of the Lions’ improved defense. The Lions don’t have a pass rusher near Hutchinson’s level, so it would be difficult to trade him before the deadline.
Detroit has an offense that can outscore many opponents, and that’s how they need to win. That can be a success, especially if the defense gets a lot of turnovers. But the Lions’ path became even more difficult without one of the most valuable defenders in the NFL. Even if Detroit misses their first Super Bowl, they can look back on that unfortunate play in the Cowboys’ disastrous loss as the main reason.
Here are the power rankings for Week 7 of the NFL season.
