ALLEN PARK — In the Lions’ first five games, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson had proven two things: He has no rust after missing the final 12 games last season with a broken leg, and he is one of the best – if not the best – at his position.
Hutchinson leads the NFL in pressures (31) and is second in sacks (5) and forced fumbles (3).
Along with that, his consistency in the last four weeks (all wins) has been solid: Week 2 — 1 sack, 5 pressures; Week 3 — 1 sack, 9 pressures; Week 4 — 2 sacks, 7 pressures; and Week 5 — 1 sack, 8 pressures.
“I’ve really got a marathon view on this season and I’m taking it one week at a time and I’m putting every single preparation into every week and we see how the cards lay at the end of the week and we do it all over again,’’ Hutchinson said.
Coach Dan Campbell said he doesn’t know if he can put a value on Hutchinson because he doesn’t know if there’s a big enough number.
“He’s extremely valuable. The number of things he’s able to do for us in the run and pass game, he pulls a lot of slack – you talk about pulling your weight he pulls his weight and then some,’’ Campbell said of the guy who is routinely double-covered if not more.
“He requires a lot of resources offensively which helps everybody else out,’’ Campbell said. “Guys like him, he’s in that rare world of – you don’t get the easy way out. He’s got to beat the nudges, beat the back chip and the tackles on him or he’s got to beat the nudge, sometimes the back and the tackle and the slides coming to him with the guard – sometimes three, sometimes four — but if that’s the case somebody else is winning, they’ve got to win.’’
The Lions (4-1) face the Chiefs (2-3) on Sunday night football on the road.
Two years ago in the season opener the Lions shocked the NFL world (but not themselves) by beating the Chiefs, 21-20. The Chiefs went on to win the Super Bowl.
Hutchinson had three quarterback hits and 4 tackles in that win. He’s a different player today – older, savvier and possibly more effective.
“What he does is not easy,’’ Campbell said. “I go back to this he’s a complete football player he does it all — he’s disruptive, he’s viral, he’s a big motor, he’s crafty, he’s explosive, he’s tough, he’s competitive — he does it all.’’
Hutchinson is not alone, the defensive line has been solid and will be better with Alim McNeil returning in the next few weeks.
INJURY UPDATE: CB Terrion Arnold’s second opinion on his shoulder was good news although Campbell still doesn’t know how long he’ll be out. It appears he will not need surgery. “The second opinion came back. It sounds like he could be promising, but that’s no guarantee either,’’ Campbell said. “We’re kind of in this wait-and-see, we’ll hold off a little bit and see where he goes.’’
ROSTER MOVES: OL Dan Skipper has been elevated from the practice squad. If LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) can’t play again Sunday, Skipper might get the call. Giovanni Manu started at left tackle in Cincinnati. … CB Khalil Dorsey has been placed on injured reserve.
Lions Lowdown 