ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after sacking Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/ …
ALLEN PARK, MI (AP) - Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson is aiming to return from a gruesome injury and help the franchise play for the NFL championship.
"I’m on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl," Hutchinson said on "The Squeeze" podcast that was published Wednesday. "I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the facility, I’m like, `You guys just got to get there. I promise you, I’m going to be back.’"
Hutchinson had surgery to repair a broken tibia and fibula two months ago after he was injured in a win at Dallas.
He was leading the league with 7 1/2 sacks through five games when he was hurt and the total more than doubles the number of sacks any other Lions player has this season.
When Hutchinson broke his left leg in two places in mid-October, he was expected to be out for four to six months.
The Super Bowl is in New Orleans on Feb. 9, just less than four months after Hutchinson’s surgery.
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) runs onto the field during player introductions before the start of an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on January 7, 2024 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Ph …
Detroit and Buffalo are the favorites to win the Super Bowl, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook. The Lions’ franchise-record, 11-game winning streak was snapped in a 48-42 setback Sunday at home against the Bills.
Detroit (12-2) visits Chicago (4-10) on Sunday clinging to a first-place tie with Minnesota in the NFC North, along with a tie with the Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles for the top seed in the conference.
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks on before kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions defends against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions is tended to by medical staff after injuring his leg while recording a sack on Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 15: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions runs onto the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on September 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Buccaneers beat the Lions 20-16. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a play. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 30: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 19: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a fourth quarter safety during a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 18: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions is congratulated by Michael Brockers #90 after making his first career sack during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions is introduced prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 19: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes to the field prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)