Health tidbits from the recent Lions player media sessions

Multiple Lions players met with the media on May 22, 2025. These sessions can be illuminating as players may disclose previously unknown injuries and surgeries. That happened here with Sam LaPorta. Here are some quotes from the players along with my quick takeaways.

Aidan Hutchinson

October 13, 2024 Left tibia/fibula fracture

"I got cleared a while back."

There wasn't much question Hutchinson had been "cleared" for football activities as we've seen him rehabbing aggressively the past few weeks. The bone was likely fully healed back in January. Just be aware that being cleared medically doesn't say anything about his chances of getting back to his previous self on the football field - which I think are very good.

"As far as playing in the Super Bowl, I guess we'll never know."

He was never going to be close to 100% for the Super Bowl which is confirmed by a recent rehab video which still shows a hitch in gait. However, many NFL players in the past have returned for the Super Bowl extraordinarily early in recovery - Terrell Owens ankle 2005, Thomas Davis forearm 2016, Brandon Graham triceps 2025.

"My rehab really didn't have very many setbacks. It was a steady, gradual climb."

This is great to hear as complications can occur with any injury or surgery. A famous recent example is Alex Smith who suffered infections related to his tib/fib fracture that delayed his return for two years. Unlike Smith, Hutchinson has had a smooth recovery which means he should be fully ready for the start of the season.

What was notably missing from Hutchinson's session was for someone to ask if he or the team had evaluated his technique at point-of-contact with the QB. His leg-whip mechanism of injury has been seen at least twice in the past two years. It would be worthwhile to research how often this happens to him in comparison to other elite edge rushers.

Sam LaPorta

"My first offseason, I had ankle surgery."

This was the most interesting disclosure during the entire media session. Ankle surgery was surprising as he did not miss any games for an ankle during his rookie season in 2023.

On December 30, 2023, LaPorta appeared to suffer an external rotation right ankle sprain which could have caused a medial ankle sprain or high ankle sprain. It's uncertain if this was the injury that necessitated surgery, but it was the only notable ankle injury I saw during the season. He finished the game and went on to play the final four games of the season without obvious disability.

Of added interest is that in the very next game, LaPorta suffered a potentially-serious, left knee hyperextension. While there is no way to know for sure if this knee injury was a compensation injury, it's possible he took a shorter step on his right leg to protect the right ankle. That short right step may have caused an extended left step which could have led to the hyperextension.

"This season, I came out pretty healthy."

It's great to hear that LaPorta felt healthy after the 2024 season despite appearing to have suffered multiple minor injuries including a hamstring in camp, a right low ankle sprain in week 3, a right knee hyperextension in week 7, and a left AC joint in week 10. Good news that this time, none of those injuries resulted in a surprise offseason surgery. He is poised to have a big year in 2025.

Penei Sewell

Sewell did not mention any health concerns or offseason surgeries. This is good news as there was concern for a left knee or ankle injury in the final game of the season vs the Commanders. The knee was hyperflexed as his foot was trapped. A high ankle sprain or knee cartilage damage could have resulted from this mechanism. While wearing a left knee brace, Sewell finished out the game. But as we just saw with LaPorta, finishing games does not rule out a future surgery.

Entering the 2025 season, Sewell is young (24), elite (2x All-Pro), and healthy. There appear to be no offseason surprises that will slow him down as he continues his Hall-of-Fame pace.

DJ Reader

"Probably my healthiest offseason in a minute. Haven't had to get cut open."

The main concern coming out of last season was a left shoulder injury in week 13 that caused Reader to miss one game. The mechanism was concerning for a subluxation that can sometimes require surgery. Thus it's great to hear that the injury was non-surgical and likely minor.

Last offseason was a different story as Reader was still recovering from a right quad tendon tear suffered on December 16, 2023. He also had a knee scope in June 2024. Reader will be entering 2025 a year older (31 at start of season) but with a much healthier offseason than last.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions health tidbits from recent player media sessions