Aidan Hutchinson is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. The Michigan product was in the midst of another productive season in 2024 before suffering a gruesome leg injury against the Dallas Cowboys at the beginning of October.

The injury was as bad as it looked, with the star undergoing surgery at a Dallas hospital immediately after. Understandably, Hutchinson was placed on IR and assumed to be out for the season.

However, on Thursday, NFL insider Albert Breer said not to count out Hutchinson returning this season.

“One other guy the defense could be getting back is Aidan Hutchinson,” said Breer. “He’s already started running in a pool and walking without crutches. He’s been in the Lions’ building every day.”

The Lions, even without their best defender, have an 11-1 record. The team has the best record in the NFC and is tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the best record in the NFL.

“The expectation is, if they make it to the Super Bowl, Hutchinson will be in uniform,” Breer said.

Hutchinson came into the league as a 1st-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Wolverine earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2022 and then earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023. In 39 NFL games played, the pass rusher already has 28.5 sacks.

Of course, Michigan fans aren’t surprised by Hutchinson’s play. At Michigan from 2018-21, Hutchinson racked up 153 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 18.5 sacks in 43 college games. Hutchinson was a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 2021.