Detroit Lions star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson uttered three little words fans were waiting for Thursday when discussing his recovery from the fractured tibia and fibula that ended his 2024 season.
“I’m fully cleared,” Hutchinson said.
OK, Hutchinson said more than that as he plans to get up to speed during the Lions’ offseason activities.
“I’m rolling with the boys now and it feels like I’m back to being myself again,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the season. I think this is the most excited I’ve been for OTAs in my life. This is the biggest hiatus I’ve had without playing ball so I’m pumped.”
Hutchinson, 24, has recorded 28.5 sacks in 39 games (all starts) since being selected by Detroit with the second overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He had 7.5 sacks in five games last season before he hurt his leg in a collision with teammate Alim McNeill in the third quarter of a 47-9 road victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13.
Now, Hutchinson will have a familiar face as his new defensive coordinator. Kelvin Sheppard was elevated from his post as linebackers coach to replace Aaron Glenn, who is now head coach of the New York Jets.
“The way he attacks things … you have to know everything that is going on,” Hutchinson said of Sheppard. “That’s what I love about him, and I think that’s going to have our defense very, very prepared this year.”
When Glenn took over as Detroit’s defensive coordinator in 2021, Sheppard came on board and has spent the last four seasons learning under the former three-time Pro Bowl defensive back and 15-year NFL veteran.
