**Detroit Lions' Aidan Hutchinson Carted Off After Suffering Leg Injury in Game Against Dallas Cowboys**

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Detroit Lions faced a potentially transformative setback during their Sunday match against the Dallas Cowboys when defensive linchpin Aidan Hutchinson sustained a left leg injury and was stretchered off the field.

Hutchinson, who was thriving in the current season, got injured 11:43 minutes into the third quarter while sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. As he brought Prescott down, Hutchinson's leg appeared to make contact with teammate Alim McNeill. The incident prompted Hutchinson to immediately remove the gloves from both his hands and trainers quickly rushed to his aid.

In a dramatic show of solidarity, every Lions player exited the sideline to stand by Hutchinson. Among them were quarterback Jared Goff, who approached Hutchinson as he lay on the ground, and tight end Sam LaPorta, who walked off the field draped with a towel over his head. Linebacker Alex Anzalone was seen pulling Hutchinson close before the player was carted off with what looked like an air cast on his leg. Players from the Cowboys, including tight end Luke Schoonmaker, who played with Hutchinson at Michigan, also offered their well-wishes.

The Lions wasted little time and quickly ruled Hutchinson out for the game due to a lower-leg injury. Hutchinson, drafted second overall in 2022 from Michigan and Dearborn Divine Child High School, was having a stellar season, anchoring a defense that ranked fourth in the NFL against the run. He had recorded at least one sack in each of the Lions' first three games and tallied 4½ sacks in a Week 2 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Additionally, he led the NFL with 23 pressures, as per Pro Football Reference.

This injury comes as a severe blow to the Lions, who had already lost another starting defensive end, Marcus Davenport, to a season-ending triceps tear in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. Following Hutchinson’s injury, the Lions leaned on Josh Paschal and Isaac Ukwu to fill the defensive end positions. The New York Giants managed to score a field goal on the same drive that Hutchinson left, capitalizing on a visibly deflated Lions defense.

Adding to the Lions' woes, defensive tackle Kyle Peko also exited the game with a pectoral injury in the first half and was declared out. Cornerback Carlton Davis III entered concussion protocol after he was kicked in the head, further depleting the Lions' defense.