Aidan Hutchinson Suffers Significant Knee Injury

Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a right knee injury during a 35-10 win over the New England Patriots in Munich on Sunday.

Munich stadium injuries

The injury occurred in the first quarter at Allianz Arena when Hutchinson landed awkwardly while celebrating a third-down sack of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, according to The Athletic.

Hutchinson remained on the turf before walking off under his own power to the medical tent, and later walked gingerly to the locker room without returning, NBC News reported. Sources confirmed to The Athletic and Bleacher Report that the injury is significant and there is fear Hutchinson will not return this season.

Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson entered this Week 10 international matchup holding five sacks on the campaign for the Lions. The pass-rusher had previously collected 14.5 sacks during the prior year, earning a second Pro Bowl nod and placing fifth in voting for the Defensive Player of the Year award. That strong run followed a 2024 campaign where he was limited to just five games due to a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.

During Sunday’s opening drive at Allianz Arena, Hutchinson pushed past Will Campbell and dove from behind to bring down the New England quarterback at the Detroit 15-yard line. After forcing the stop, Hutchinson leaped into the air with his clenched right fist raised, but his right knee buckled upon landing and he crumpled immediately to the turf.

FOX rules analyst Mike Pereira and NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson both said that the hit itself did not constitute a hip-drop tackle because the defender displayed no swivel or unweighting motion.

“We’ll know more when we get back in the States, but anytime you lose a player of his caliber … that doesn’t make things easy,” Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said. Campbell added regarding the team’s depth and response: “But I thought guys stepped up in his wake and showed up for us today and helped us out.”

Maye also exited the opening drive with a lower leg injury after the same sack sequence. New England coach Mike Vrabel ruled Maye out during the game and said that the quarterback would undergo further evaluation.

“He couldn’t function, couldn’t play, couldn’t do whatever he needed to do to play quarterback, to protect himself, to execute or function at that level,” Vrabel said.

Offensive dominance in Germany

With Tommy DeVito replacing Maye under center, the Patriots offense stalled, managing only 151 total yards as their record dropped to 5-5. Detroit improved to 7-2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed for 153 yards and two scores, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, who caught two touchdown passes during his homecoming appearance, The Guardian noted.

The lopsided international contest featured extensive offensive output from the NFC North victors, as Jared Goff completed 20 of 31 passing attempts for 303 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Amon-Ra St. Brown wore lederhosen upon his arrival at the stadium while carrying a German flag, later celebrating his heritage by hauling in a 56-yard touchdown catch in the opening period and adding a 28-yard score in the third quarter.

Jahmyr Gibbs generated 153 yards on the ground alongside two rushing touchdowns while also accumulating at least 95 yards receiving, making him the first player across the league to achieve those combined single-game thresholds since Priest Holmes accomplished the feat in 2002. Isaac TeSlaa contributed another scoring reception from 12 yards out following a 97-yard march by the Detroit offense.

For New England, the departure of their starting signal-caller left the offense heavily compromised. Tommy DeVito took over quarterback duties and completed 12 of 24 passes for 81 yards while tossing an interception directly to Roger McCreary, though he did manage a late touchdown pass to Lan Larison. The visiting side dropped consecutive matches and three of their previous four appearances, falling to a 5-5 record on the season.

“Nothing new — we’ll know more when we get back in the States,” Campbell said.

New England enters a bye week before returning on November 29 to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football.

More on this story: Zach Sieler to Undergo Surgery, Ending His Season With the Dolphins

More on New England Patriots: Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots Game in Munich on TV and Streaming