When Aidan Hutchinson, the NFL’s best edge rusher, went down Sunday with a season-ending injury, it was devastating. In his third season with the Lions, Hutchinson has become a dominant force. Leading the NFL with 7.5 sacks, this looked like a career year for Hutchinson… until disaster struck. How can the Lions recover from the loss of Hutchinson?
How The Lions Can Recover From the Loss of Aidan Hutchinson
While delivering a punishing sack on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Hutchinson’s left leg got tangled with teammate Alim McNeil. Hutchinson suffered a broken tibia that required immediate surgery and ended his season. Although there is no doubt that Hutchinson will be missed, the Lions recovered admirably. Throttling the Cowboys by a final score of 47-9, the offense and defense stepped up to put on a master class for the league.
As impressive as the victory over the Cowboys was, the pall cast by Hutchinson’s injury overshadowed what would have otherwise been a magnificent afternoon. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has been a genius at drafting just the right players and negotiating quality trades to assemble this standout Lions team. However, his biggest challenge lies ahead if he hopes to replace Hutchinson.
Replacing Hutchinson
The simple truth is that the Lions cannot replace Hutchinson. An elite player of his caliber isn’t available as a trade prospect. In the three years Hutchinson has been with the Lions, he established himself as a leader both on and off the field. Hutchinson is gifted athletically, but he also has the personality to fire up teammates and endear him to fans. The team captain of the defense, Hutchinson is a guiding force and the heart of this team. Coaches, teammates and fans can’t help but respond to his passion and enthusiasm for the game.
However, the Lions need to find a way to fill the gap left by Hutchinson’s absence. The Lions’ defense is already stretched thin by the loss of DL Marcus Davenport. Brought on this year to complement Hutchinson on the other side of the defensive line, Davenport suffered an elbow injury in the Lions’ 20-13 victory game over the Arizona Cardinals. He is out for the season.
In addition to Davenport, the Lions’ defense suffered a second loss when Derrick Barnes was also hurt in the Cardinals game. The Lions learned that Barnes would be out for the season with a serious knee injury.
Practice Squad Players As An Option for The Lions
In the short term, the Lions could elevate a practice squad player to partially fill the gap. On Sunday, 25-year-old Isaac Ukwu was activated before the game. In his first NFL game, Ukwu recorded two sacks Sunday. The 6’3″ undrafted free agent had a strong preseason, impressing the coaching staff enough to make the 16-man practice squad. Delivering a punishing sack on Giants quarterback, Drew Lock, in the Lions’ first preseason game, Ukwu had a strip sack in another preseason game on the Steelers’ Justin Fields. Ukwu finished the preseason with five tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.
Negotiating A Trade to Recover From the Loss
Potential trade candidates are beginning to emerge from the rubble of Sunday’s injury. Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders has been vocal about his desire to leave the Raiders and join a winning organization. Crosby is a dominant physical player but can also be a disruptive personality. He may not be a fit for the Lions’ disciplined culture.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is also a possible candidate. Hendrickson, the three-time Pro Bowl player has a total of nine tackles and three sacks on the season. However, the once-strong Bengals defense has looked incredibly porous this season and it’s unlikely Cincinnati would engage in trade discussions for their most productive defensive player.
Dexter Lawrence II, a 6’4, 340-pound defensive tackle for the New York Giants, is another potential trade prospect. With a total of seven sacks on the season, Lawrence ranks just below Hutchinson on the leaderboard. In addition to being a sack leader, “Sexy Dexy” has 12 tackles this year with a career total of 27.
Although there are potentially desirable trade targets out there, the question for Holmes and the Lions remains; what would they have to give up in exchange? The player the Lions target would most likely carry a hefty price tag and need to fit within salary cap limitations. In addition, some compensatory draft picks would be involved.
Another Option to Recover From the Loss
But there may be another option for the Lions to recover from the loss of Hutchinson. The Lions have struck gold in the form of a talented UFL athlete, kicker Jake Bates. In addition to Bates, former USFL Birmingham Stallions kicker, Brandon Aubrey has been nothing short of sensational in the two years he has been with the Cowboys. Aubrey was responsible for all nine points scored by Dallas on Sunday. Is it possible the Lions could find a talented edge rusher from the defensive standouts in the UFL?
In addition to Bates and Aubrey, the Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dondrea Tillman is enjoying a strong first season in the NFL. Tillman made a thrilling NFL debut with three tackles and two sacks in the Broncos win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One possible candidate who is already familiar with Ford Field is Michigan Panthers defensive star Breeland Speaks. Speaks was voted to the All-UFL Team and the UFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. When he is on his game, Speaks can be a dominant, smothering presence on the field.
At the end of the day, no one knows how Hutchinson’s injury will impact the rest of the Lions season. One thing is certain, Dan Campbell has created a team that can bounce back from adversity to come back fighting. While Hutchinson may have seen his season end prematurely, this is a team on a mission and they will find a way to persevere. This Lions team must find a way to recover from the loss of Hutchinson.
Main Image Courtesy of Kevin Jairaj – Imagn Images
