Aidan Hutchinson Says He's 'on Track' to Return from Injury If Lions Make Super Bowl

As Detroit Lions star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson continues his recovery from a fractured tibia and fibula, he hasn't given up on his hope to be back on the field this year. But he will need his team to continue succeeding without him in the meantime.

During an interview with actor Taylor Lautner, Hutchinson declared, "I'm on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl."

Hutchinson added that he's let his goal be known to his teammates, and he hopes that gives them even more motivation to earn the Lions' first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

"I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the facility, I'm like, 'You guys just gotta get there, and I promise you, I'm gonna be back,'" he said.

Hutchinson injured his leg in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said at the time that he anticipated a recovery timetable of four to six months, but he didn't rule out the possibility of the 24-year-old returning this season.

Before going down with the injury, Hutchinson was one of the early frontrunners for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. In five games, he led the league with 7.5 sacks while adding 19 total tackles, six tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

Hutchinson said he understands those who question his chances of recovering in time to be back on the field this year, but he won't let the doubters distract him from his goal.

"My mom was like, I remember we were talking yesterday and she's like, 'But Aidan, what if you don't get back? What if you can't?' And I was like, 'There's no other way,'" he said.