THE Detroit Lions have moved to replace star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson after his injury nightmare.
Hutchinson was ruled out for the season after fracturing his tibia in Sunday’s win at the Dallas Cowboys.
Isaiah Thomas in action for the Cleveland Browns during the 2022 season[/caption]
Aidan Hutchinson is out for the year after a horror injury suffered in the win over the Dallas Cowboys[/caption]
The 24-year-old is the heart and soul of the Lions defense and losing him was a major blow.
Detroit announced a roster move Tuesday in a bid to fill the massive void.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas was signed from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.
Thomas, 25, was taken in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
He spent two seasons in Cleveland before moving across Ohio to Cincinnati this year.
The defensive end played 10 times for the Browns in the 2022 season and had nine tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.
Hutchinson’s injury was so bad that Fox NFL cameras refused to show a replay on Sunday.
He suffered the injury in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium when trying to tackle Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
His leg snapped just above the ankle after he collided with team-mate Alim McNeill.
Hutchinson grimaced in pain as medics rushed onto the field.
Players from both teams prayed for the 24-year-old as he was carried off the field.
He stayed in Dallas, Texas and immediately underwent surgery as his teammates dealt with his loss.
David Montgomery said, “Aidan is definitely the heartbeat of our team and that defense.”
Brian Branch added, “We know how much Hutch means to the team, the defense alone, he is the tone setter.
“To see him go down like that, you don’t wish that on none of us. We had to do it for Hutch.”
Head coach Dan Campbell said, “It’s hard when you lose somebody like him. But we’ll know a lot more after this and obviously wish him the best.
“It’s hard for everybody when you’re standing there and that’s one of yours and something like that happens.
“If you dwell on that too much and you start playing a little timid, that’s when you get hurt.
“So guys snapped right back in and they lived in the moment where we’re on.”
Detroit is 4-1 this season and targeting another deep playoff run.
The made it to the NFC Championship Game last season, where they were beaten by the San Francisco 49ers.
