ALLEN PARK — Aidan Hutchinson returned to the field last Sunday, participating in a game with the Detroit Lions for the first time since he was carted off with a broken leg against the Dallas Cowboys nearly 11 months ago.
He was met with a number of double teams and chip blocks, limiting his impact as a pass rusher. Hutchinson, who estimated he got a true one-on-one opportunity only two or three times, finished with two pressures on 46 defensive snaps. It didn’t help the Lions fell behind by multiple scores early, allowing the Green Bay Packers to run more of a conservative offense as the game wore on, relying mostly on their rushing attack. Quarterback Jordan Love threw the ball six times in the second half.
“I always think, what would I do? … I would not let Hutch wreck a game, there’s no way,” head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday, putting himself in the shoes of an opposing coach. “So, (other teams) will have answers. They’re not going to let him — particularly on passing downs — they’re not going to let him ever have a one-on-one. And if they do, it would be rare. They will (double team him), and he knows that, we know that. It’s understood. That’s the game he has to play. That’s not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. But it also means other guys have to step up and win.”
Campbell expressed optimism about the rest of his defensive line, and what it’s capable of producing moving forward. Hutchinson was the only defensive player with multiple pressures in the loss at Green Bay, per Pro Football Focus. Derrick Barnes, Marcus Davenport, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Pat O’Connor and Tyleik Williams each had one apiece.
Hutchinson said the constant double teams have taught him to appreciate those one-on-one chances when they do come. They’re few and far between at this point in his career — and they’ll only increase if his teammates can take some of the attention away.
“I think the whole goal is to not get frustrated,” said Hutchinson, who added the defense’s second-half performance against the Packers has him hopeful heading into a Week 2 matchup with the Chicago Bears. “Don’t let it get in your head, keep rushing. It’ll be all right.”
Originally Published: September 11, 2025 at 7:41 AM EDT