Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a potentially serious knee injury during the team’s 35-10 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday in Munich, Germany.
The injury occurred early in the game after Hutchinson recorded a sack on the opening possession.
Teammate Derrick Barnes initially believed the player was joking before realizing the severity of the situation, “Aidan being as goofy as he is, I thought that’s what he was doing.”
Hutchinson, who had six sacks entering the game, limped off the field and was later seen on crutches, according to reports from the Detroit Free Press.
Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed the uncertainty surrounding his star player’s status following the contest.
“Anytime you lose a player of his caliber, type of teammate he is, he’s a captain of ours, that doesn’t make things easy,” Campbell stated.
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin described the impact of the loss, noting that “He’s the heart and soul of our defense.”
The defensive unit managed to finish the game with five sacks despite the early departure of their top pass rusher.
Defensive end DJ Wonnum emphasized the need for a collective effort moving forward.
“It’s hard to replace a guy like Aidan, so we just got to come together collectively,” Wonnum noted.
The team is currently awaiting further medical evaluations to be conducted upon their return to the United States.
The Lions are already navigating the absence of linebacker Jack Campbell, who is sidelined with a spinal cord injury.
Players expressed concern regarding the surface at Allianz Arena, with some questioning if the field conditions played a role in the injury.
The team plans to continue their season preparations as they look toward their upcoming matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite the setback, the Lions remain in a first-place tie within the NFC North division.