Detroit Lions’ edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson had so many sacks last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he ran out of sack dances and celebration moves.
“Yeah, by that fifth one I just had to put my hands up,” Hutchinson told reporters this week. “I was like, ‘This is one of those days where you’re just a magnet to the ball.’ It was fun.”
Officially credited with a career-high 4½ sacks during the 20-16 loss, the 6-foot-7, 268-pound Hutchinson could be in store for another big day in the opponent’s backfield when he and the Lions visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.
The NFL’s leader with 5½ sacks overall through two games, Hutchinson will be lining up across from a backup right tackle for the third consecutive week. The only question is, which backup will it be for the Cardinals?
Arizona lost starter Jonah Williams in Week 1 to a knee issue and he has since been placed on injured reserve. Veteran Kelvin Beachum, the only backup tackle presently on the club’s active 53-man roster, started last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams but wound up on this injury report this week with a sore hamstring.
Asked on Friday if Beachum, 35, will be able to play on Sunday, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon could only say, “We’ll see.”
Last week, the Cardinals elevated Jackson Barton, 29, from the practice squad, but he’s played only 13 snaps in six NFL seasons. Another option from the practice squad could be Charlie Heck, 27, who has appeared in 41 games (21 starts) at tackle for the Houston Texans the past four seasons. A third option, if necessary, might be rookie guard Isaiah Adams, 24, who started 10 games at right tackle during his college career at Illinois.
Whomever the Cardinals throw out at right tackle, it’s probably not going to rattle Hutchinson. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Michigan, he finished last season ranked first in quarterback hits (23) and second in pressures (101) and quarterback hurries (67).
And on Sunday, he can make history.
Armed with 5½ sacks this year and his five from his last two games of the 2023 season, Hutchinson just needs 2½ sacks against the Cardinals to surpass Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (12½) for the most sacks by a player in a five-game span since 1982 when sacks became an official statistic.
Although he doesn’t like talking about himself all that much, Hutchinson said he’s proud of his production.
“Yeah, I definitely am proud,” he said. “Sacks are … it’s just a funny thing. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time and timing. A lot of those were just because of the D-line – we were all rushing together as one. That always helps. It’s vital for anyone who gets sacks, really.”
The Cardinals can try slowing Hutchinson down by chipping him with the help of a tight end or a running back. Hutchinson said he was surprised the Buccaneers didn’t do much of that against him last week.
“I thought they’d chip me more in that game early, but they didn’t,” he said. “At this point, I have no idea. Sometimes I think I’m going to get chipped and then they don’t. I’m not really sure. We’ll see (on Sunday). I’ll let you know after the game how much they chipped me.”
Whatever the Cardinals do, quarterback Kyler Murray said he will be fully aware of Hutchinson’s presence.
“Yeah, you have to be,” he said. “He warrants that. He’s a great player. The things he has done in his short career are pretty impressive. He is who he is and he’s going to continue to be that guy for the rest of his career. We definitely have to be aware of him.”
Likewise, Hutchinson said he and the Lions must be mindful of Murray, especially when he decides to scamper out of the pocket as a ballcarrier or is throwing passes on the run.
“It’s always a tough task when you see him running around all over the tape,” Hutchinson said of Murray. “It’s always about keeping a good balance between trying to keep him in the pocket, but also trying to give your best rush as well.
“You definitely have to be more aware of it because he’s very athletic and can do anything in that pocket. So, awareness levels have to go up and it’s always got to be in the back of your mind.”
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