DETROIT — The mood within the Detroit Lions’ organization should have been festive on Monday after a resounding victory against the Dallas Cowboys, where they triumphed with an impressive score of 47-9. This marked one of the most remarkable performances under head coach Dan Campbell, with former NFL star Tom Brady praising the Lions as arguably the top team in the NFC.
However, the joy was overshadowed by the unfortunate news of a serious injury to their key defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson. Acknowledged as one of the best pass rushers in the league this season, Hutchinson suffered a broken leg and is currently in the Dallas area recovering from surgery to repair fractures in both his tibia and fibula.
“The surgery went exceptionally well — we have all good news — but losing Hutch is a significant blow. He’s not just a captain and a standout player, but a fantastic teammate who embodies our values,” Campbell expressed in a statement. “This is really painful for us, both for his presence on the field and who he is as a person.”
The anticipated recovery timeline for Hutchinson is around four to six months, which could allow him to participate in training camp for the 2025 season. Nonetheless, Campbell remains hopeful for a quicker comeback, saying, “I’d never count Hutch out. Sure, the road ahead is challenging, but if anyone can return sooner, it’s him.”
In the meantime, the Lions must strategize on how to fill the void of Hutchinson’s pass-rushing capabilities for the coming 12 games. While some may suggest making a trade for a high-profile player like Maxx Crosby from the Raiders, Campbell believes that general manager Brad Holmes will take a measured approach regarding any potential moves.
“Injuries happen every year, and Brad is constantly seeking improvements. We’ll look for options, but we have to evaluate the cost and ensure it’s the right fit. Honestly, I have faith in the guys we currently have,” Campbell noted. “We are actively assessing our options.”
On a brighter note, quarterback Jared Goff continued his impressive form, following up a perfect outing against Seattle with another stellar effort against the Cowboys. Across these two games, Goff has completed an impressive 36 out of 43 passes (an accuracy rate of 83.7%) with five touchdowns and no interceptions, while also catching a touchdown during the game against the Seahawks. Collectively, the Lions have put up 89 points in these matches.
Despite these achievements, there remains room for improvement in their offensive strategies. The Lions struggled to convert opportunities involving their offensive linemen into touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson attempted several creative plays, including a pass intended for Taylor Decker and a hook-and-lateral from Amon-Ra St. Brown to Penai Sewell, but none resulted in points due to missed catches or penalties.
Positively, cornerback Terrion Arnold, who was selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, had a breakout performance against the Cowboys, avoiding penalties for the first time this season and effectively limiting CeeDee Lamb to seven receptions for 89 yards from 14 targets.
Concerning injuries, cornerback Carlton Davis also left the game due to a head injury but has since passed through the concussion protocol and is expected to practice this week.
A notable statistic from the game was Dallas’s total yardage, which amounted to just 251 yards. This is in stark contrast to the 516 yards the Lions’ defense allowed during their earlier victory against Seattle, indicating a marked improvement in the team’s defensive capabilities.
Looking forward, the Lions aim to overcome the setback from Hutchinson’s injury as they prepare for a challenging matchup against the undefeated Vikings on the road.