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    • What Dan Campbell said about the Lions' plan to replace Aidan Hutchinson
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    What Dan Campbell said about the Lions' plan to replace Aidan Hutchinson

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    The Detroit Lions have begun exploring potential trade options to replace Aidan Hutchinson, but Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday his team doesn't need to make any moves to win the Super Bowl.

    “Yes. I mean, listen, my job is to train what's here and I'm going to train the hell out of them and we're a team,” Campbell said. “And yes, I do (I think we can win with what we have). And if we get someone, great. If we don't, these are our boys. And the coaches know that. That's what we came to camp with, that's why we develop talent, and it's the next guy's turn and he has to be ready to go.”

    Hutchinson, who leads the NFL with 7½ sacks, broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in the Lions' 47-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

    He is the third Lions edge defender to suffer a potentially season-ending injury in the past month. Defensive end Marcus Davenport tore his triceps in a Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals and is out for the season, and outside linebacker Derrick Barnes injured his knee in the same game and could miss the rest of the year.

    The Lions shuffled personnel at linebacker to account for Barnes' absence, promoting Alex Anzalone to strong-side linebacker and inserting Malcolm Rodriguez into Anzalone's role as primary weak-side linebacker. And Josh Paschal started Sunday for the first time this season in place of Davenport.

    BIRKETT: Brad Holmes owes it to the Super Bowl-bound Lions to add DE following Aidan Hutchinson's injury

    Campbell said the Lions are looking at a variety of internal options to replace Hutchinson for now, but are open to additional help from outside the organization.

    “It comes up every year, and it doesn’t look like (general manager Brad Holmes) doesn’t,” Campbell said. “So he does what he did, he searches. Is there anyone out there who could possibly help us? What will it cost? And so these things will always come up, but just because they're there doesn't mean we're going to do it. And it must be true if it is so.

    Paschal has played well in the last two games in Davenport's absence, and linebacker Trevor Nowaske and practice squad call-up Isaac Ukwu finished Sunday's game at defensive end. Nowaske had his first career sack, while Ukwu had two tackles in 36 snaps.

    Campbell emphasized he has “great confidence” in the ability of the Lions’ entire defensive line to fill Hutchinson’s void. And he said the team will take time to evaluate its internal options before committing to a trade.

    “Honestly, where we are now, we’re not in a hurry,” he said. “I mean, I believe in the guys that are here. I believe in this D-line. That doesn't mean we don't look, we don't evaluate. It's Brad, it's his job and he's good at it and we'll take it as it comes. But our eyes are open and we want to make sure we have what we need here.”

    “Our crew”

    Campbell suppressed some emotions Monday when asked if he received a game ball from quarterback Jared Goff for Sunday's win against the Cowboys.

    Campbell, who played tight end for the Cowboys from 2003 to 2005, presented Goff with a game ball in the locker room for his 315-yard, three-touchdown pass, but Goff returned it, calling Campbell “our (bleeping rock).”

    “Listen, I love these guys,” Campbell said. “I love our players, they are the best and I appreciate that. And the coaching staff and everyone. But look, it's not like I'm the only one from Texas. (Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is) from Texas, there's a So that was a great team effort, man, I love those guys and wouldn't trade any of them for anyone right now.”

    Dave Birkett will be signing copies of his new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline,” at 24 Seconds Bar & Grill in Berkley on October 21 at 7 p.m. and at Stadium Cards on October 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m & Comics in Ypsilanti. Order your copy here.

    Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected]. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

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    Kathleen William
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