The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527978
NOVEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 63 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE D etroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson — one of the top per- forming Wolverines in the NFL — went down with a gruesome left leg injury (fractured tibia and fibula) in a 47-9 win over Dallas on Oct. 13. He underwent surgery immediately after being rushed to the hospital and will be out indefi- nitely. In true Hutchinson fashion, the injury occurred while he was notching a sack on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Though his leg had already been bro- ken, the third-year pro finished the play, bringing his sack total up to a league- leading 7.5. The 6-foot-7, 268-pound 24-year-old now has 28.5 sacks in his career but will likely have to wait until next season to add to that figure. "He's a guy who's a part of the heart- beat of this team," quarterback Jared Goff said. "He's a leader and does everything right. He's a great teammate. … He will be fine. He's going to come back even- tually — whenever that may be — and knowing him, he will be fine and bounce back." The Lions didn't have a defender with more than 2.5 sacks after the game in which Hutchinson went down. "It's hard when you lose somebody like him," head coach Dan Campbell said. Former Michigan wideout Nico Collins was having an electric start to the season for the Houston Texans, before falling victim to a hamstring injury that led to his placement on the injured list Oct. 9, meaning he'll have to miss at least four weeks. Collins was leading the NFL with 567 receiving yards through five weeks, with no other wideout in the league accumu- lating over 500 yards in that span. "Nico has been the best receiver in the NFL this year," head coach DeMeco Ryans explained. "So, can you replace him? No." "I think he is the best receiver in football," quarterback C.J. Stroud said. "When he gets out of the game, it defi- nitely is tough on us. A lot of things are predicated toward him and planned for him." FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NFL Through Oct. 14 • Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Hauled in 16 catches for 102 yards in six games with four starts for the 2-4 Bengals. • AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks: Had 7 catches for 66 yards and his first career touchdown for the 3-3 Seahawks. • Ronnie Bell (2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers: Appeared in five tilts for the 3-3 49ers, making 1 catch for 12 yards. • Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buc- caneers: Started all six games at left guard for the 4-2 Buccaneers, registering a 51.6 overall PFF grade. • Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns: Played in six outings with two starts for the 1-5 Browns, compiling 23 tackles and 1 pass breakup. • Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Sea- hawks: Started two games while starter Kenneth Walker III was injured … Appeared in all six tilts for the 3-3 Seahawks, rushing 49 times for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns and catching 19 passes for 149 yards and a score. • Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans: Currently out with a hamstring injury … Started first five games for the 5-1 Texans, with 32 recep- tions for 567 yards and 3 touchdowns. • Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Char- gers: Appeared in three contests for the 3-2 Char- gers, tallying 8 tackles and a pass breakup. • Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams: ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Wolverines Leading NFL In Sacks, Receiving Yards, But Suffer Injuries Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending broken leg while sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the Detroit Lions' 47-9 blowout win Oct. 13. PHOTO BY JEFF NGUYEN/DETROIT LIONS