ALLEN PARK -- Sunday at Ford Field will mark a first when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings in their Week 9 matchup, as J.J. McCarthy and Aidan Hutchinson — teammates at Michigan in 2021 — will face each other on an NFL field.
Last season, McCarthy’s rookie year in Minnesota, provided no chance for the pair to square off. At the beginning of the Vikings’ training camp, veteran quarterback Sam Darnold assumed the starting job under center, where it was expected McCarthy could beat him out for the role at some point.
However, the Vikings shelved him for the year after he underwent surgery for a torn meniscus following a successful preseason opener.
Later that season, Hutchinson suffered a season-ending leg injury, right ahead of Detroit’s bye week and the Vikings matchup that followed.
With the Lions (5-2) chasing a third straight NFC North title and the Vikings (3-4) looking to get their season back on track, a lot will be on the line in the division showdown where Hutchinson and McCarthy will be vital to their teams’ success.
“Yeah, it’ll be exciting. You know, we have a great relationship, and I’ve probably got to shoot him a text this week at some point, letting him know that,” Hutchinson said when talking to reporters after Tuesday’s practice. “I’m super excited. He’s a great competitor, great player, and I’m looking forward to him.
“It’s always weird, you know, how some of the guys you play with just keep continuing to show up (as opponents), you know? And now me and J.J. will get our first matchup, if you want to call it that. It’s going to be fun. I’m sure we’ll laugh a little bit out there.”
Sunday will mark McCarthy’s return as starting quarterback following a season-ending shoulder injury to Carson Wentz. It will also be his first game since suffering a high ankle sprain in a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Unfortunately for McCarthy, Hutchinson has returned to his true form after his injury -- resembling the player who’s an early favorite to win this season’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
Hutchinson is currently tied for fifth among all edge rushers in sacks (six) and first in pressures (48). Hutchinson has also logged a strip sack in four of his last five games.
“I think I texted him (last year) when he got drafted, telling him I’ll just roll off a little bit on the end,” Hutchinson joked.
“It is fun when you play against (former teammates). I mean, even last week playing against (Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard) Ben Bredeson, we played together for a few years. You’re able to share in the moments in between that people don’t see -- you share good moments, funny moments, laughing.”
While the friendship between Hutchinson and McCarthy appears to be a solid one, the Week 9 matchup carries weight for both teams. A win for Detroit inches them closer to regaining their status as the NFC North’s best, while a win for Minnesota pulls them back to .500 on the season.
So Hutchinson and McCarthy may share some great moments and laughs during the game -- but only one of them will leave Ford Field smiling.
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