When theDetroit Lionsbegin theirOTAsnext week, they can expect to see a familiar face re-joining the team as a full participant in practice for the first time in months. Star edge rusherAidan Hutchinsonhas been "fully cleared" for football activity, he announced at a media availability session Thursday. "I got cleared a while back, and I'm rolling with the boys now. I feel like I'm back to being myself again," he said. It's big news for Hutchinson, who missed the final 12 games of the regular season after fracturing both bones in his lower leg during a Week 6 game against theDallas Cowboys. "I'm fully cleared"pic.twitter.com/BtdovKOKKf — Detroit Lions (@Lions)May 22, 2025 WHAT ARE OTAs?Explaining NFL's offseason schedule Prior to the injury, Hutchinson had been leading the league in sacks, with 7.5 in five games – a mark that included a 4.5-sack performance against theTampa Bay Buccaneersin Week 2. Hutchinson's gruesome leg injury was only one of several that Lions defenders suffered throughout the 2024 campaign. By the time December rolled around, Detroit could have fielded an entire, 11-person starting defense with its injured defenders. Outside of Hutchinson, there were fellow defensive linemenMarcus Davenport,Mekhi WingoandAlim McNeill. LinebackersAlex AnzaloneandMalcolm Rodriguezalso suffered long-term injuries – though the former eventually returned to action – and cornerbacksCarlton Davis,Ennis Rakestraw Jr.andKhalil Dorseyall spent time on injured reserve as well. The load of injuries ultimately proved too much for the team to overcome in the playoffs. The Lions played just one postseason game and exited early after allowing 45 points to theWashington Commandersin the divisional round. With Hutchinson back to fully cleared status, the Lions can look forward to watching their star edge rusher get to work dominating opposing NFL offensive lines. "I know a lot of people believe that (the five-game performance in 2024) is kind of my ceiling, but I'm going to continue to push for those greater heights." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Aidan Hutchinson injury update: Lions edge rusher is 'fully cleared'
