Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson dropped another hint toward a potential return this season on his Instagram.
Just hours before the Lions lined up to play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17 of the NFL season on “Monday Night Football,” the star edge rusher posted footage via social media of a screen showing him running underwater. Hutchinson has been out since Week 6 after breaking his tibia and fibula while sacking Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys.
Hutchinson was on pace for an All-Pro season before breaking his leg. He led the NFL with 7½ sacks before going down. Earlier in December, Hutchinson appeared on a podcast on which he said his return goal remains the Super Bowl — slated for Feb. 9 in New Orleans — if the Lions make it that far.
Since Hutchinson’s injury, the Lions have lost just once, two weeks ago to Buffalo, but they have also suffered other key injuries on defense. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill (ACL) and Carlton Davis III (jaw) are out for the season, and several depth pieces, such as linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, are on injured reserve. The Lions have also struggled to get pressure with a 6.2% sack rate, fifth-lowest in the NFL.
The Lions have already clinched a playoff spot but are still battling for positioning. The Lions host the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) on Sunday to determine the top seed in the NFC — which receives a first-round bye — and winner of the NFC North.