Hutchinson’s fate at the end of the season isn’t unexpected, but the confirmation doesn’t make losing the high-running engine of its defense any less of a blow for Detroit.

Entering Week 6, Hutchinson led the NFL with 6.5 sacks, and he had played just four games due to the Lions’ Week 5 bye. After his first Pro Bowl campaign, the 24-year-old, who finished his year with 7.5 sacks and 19 tackles, was well on his way to another sensational season and perhaps cemented a place as one of the league’s truly elite pass rushers . .

Now, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft will be missing from the Lions’ quest to repeat as NFC North champions.

It’s never easy to fill the void left by the loss of a star player, but Hutchinson’s absence could shine a light on Detroit’s lack of depth rushing the passer.

On the inside, Alim McNeill was excellent and had two sacks against the Cowboys, but no one else on the team has more than 1.5 sacks on the season. There will be no replacement for Hutchinson, but players like Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Pascal and rookie Isaac Ukwu will have a bigger role and should step up for Detroit.