The Detroit Lions have a few months left to prepare for the fall football season, and the big question on everyone's minds is whether Aidan Hutchinson and the rest of the Lions' defense will be back to early 2024 form.
The Lions lost Hutchinson to a broken left leg against the Dallas Cowboys, the first of several others along departed DC Aaron Glenn's unit.
On Friday, Hutchinson's recent message to new coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was revealed. Hutchinson has been shown running in offseason videos with varying degrees of speed and success heading toward his inevitable return to the Ford Field turf.
Aidan Hutchinson at the Lions playoff game on January 2025.
© Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Hutchinson is reportedly looking "more and more like himself" and has spent time with Sheppard at the Lions' Allen Park, Michigan training facility.
Sheppard spoke highly of Hutchinson's energy in recent activities.
"I mean, he's out there, he's the most energetic guy on the field," Sheppard said Thursday.
"He's ready to make the call out the huddle today. I went over there during individual (drills) and I said, 'Hutch, you know how I know you're back?'
"He said, 'How?' I said, 'Because you're touching that ground when you run that hoop.'"
Sheppard called Hutchinson "some supernatural cat," adding, "That's how I know you're back, big dog."
"I got you, DC,' Hutchinson replied to his defensive coordinator.
Hutchinson was the NFL's leader in sacks before his injury and remained at or near the top of the leaderboard for weeks afterward.
He is expected to team with Tyleik Williams and others to make the defensive line a strength again in Detroit.
