Reality is beginning for the Detroit Lions, who returned to the city after a day full of ups and downs.

Yes, the Lions won on Sunday, but they lost star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. He underwent successful surgery at Baylor White Medical Center in Irving, Texas, after breaking his tibia and fibula in Sunday’s 47-9 win over the Cowboys. He is expected to make a full recovery but will be out for the next four to six months. Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t rule out a possible return, however unlikely it may be. What we know for sure is that the Lions will have to adjust to life without Hutchinson.

But if you think Campbell and these Lions are content to wallow in self-pity, think again.

“It kind of brings it back to reality, like, ‘Hey man, this is part of this game,’ and that’s hard,” Campbell said Monday. “But I think they also understand that we are a team and everyone is here for a reason and we each need each other. That’s why we play with 11 on defense, 11 on offense and 11 on special teams. And we play together. If we need help in an area, we get it from one of the other groups; This is how we complement each other. They think it’s the next man up.

“…We’re going to have injuries. Things will happen. You have to be able to move forward and you have to hold the line. You have to hold the line.”

This process begins now. With that in mind, here’s a look at how the Lions could look to replace Hutchinson.

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There is no real equivalent of Hutchinson on the roster. He is one of one — a game-wrecker who had mastered week-to-week consistency before his injury. Despite the injury, Hutchinson leads the league in sacks (7.5), pressures (45) and pass rush win rate (38.3 percent). With the Lions also without Marcus Davenport and most likely Derrick Barnes this season, Detroit’s pass rush depth has obviously taken a hit.

It has to come in other forms. Detroit’s interior defensive line will have to pick up much of the slack. Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill rank 11th and 14th, respectively, in pressure among center backs, according to PFF. Onwuzurike has 17 and McNeill is right behind him with 16. They are Detroit’s top two pass rushers without Hutchinson. There’s a chance we’ll see Onwuzurike more on offense, as he’s shown some versatility there this summer. This would allow him and McNeill to play alongside DJ Reader as much as possible. But others are also needed.

Third-year standout Josh Paschal isn’t exactly known for his pass-rush repertoire. But he’s a solid run defender and should get a full look to prove his worth. Sixth-round pick Mekhi Wingo has excelled at times this season, particularly as an interior player, but the Lions mentioned that they believed he could occasionally throw a kickout to attack. Rookie UDFA Isaac Ukwu was called up from the practice squad and played in his first NFL game on Sunday. When asked about Ukwu’s performance, Campbell said he looked like a rookie playing his first game. But the Lions like what he’s done in practice and will continue to develop him. Other members of the training team include Mitchell Agude and Al-Quadin Muhammad.

The Lions have taken a look at SAM linebacker Trevor Nowaske to fill in for the injured Barnes. But he played 29 snaps along the defensive line against the Cowboys. This season, Nowaske had five pressures in 28 total pass-rush snaps, for a win rate of 16.7. Worth another look.

And of course there’s always James Houston. Once upon a time, the Lions watched Houston total eight sacks in just over 100 pass rush snaps – and that was as a rookie. However, Houston leaves a lot to be desired as a run defender. And upon closer inspection against the Seahawks, he recorded more offside penalties (2) than pressure penalties (1).

“I have a lot of confidence in this D-line room,” Campbell said Monday. Mac and Levi and Reader and Paschal and the group that’s in there. Ukwu, we have Muhammad on the training squad, Agude, Houston is still here. So we have options and that’s why we’re playing with three phases. So we play offense, defense, special teams, that’s why we do it. And we help each other. So, we’ll be fine, we’ll keep going.”

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Of course, it feels like the Lions need some extra help. Expect the front office to monitor the free agent market. Maybe the Lions can sign a veteran to the practice squad with the promise of promoting him to the active roster when he’s ready, like they did with Bruce Irvin last year. But a trade for help still seems like the best decision the Lions can make.

Ideally, you’re dealing with teams that have losing records and could become sellers at the deadline. Let’s discuss a few.

Maxx Crosby (left) is a high target and unlikely to leave the Raiders. (Junfu Han/USA Today)

First, let’s talk about some of the more unlikely options. Lions fans are in love with Maxx Crosby. He was born in Lapeer, Michigan. He played football at Eastern Michigan. He is one of the best defenders the league has to offer and is in the prime of his career at just 27 years old. He has also gone on record saying he would like to play for the Lions if he ever left the Raiders. It doesn’t hurt that the team he plays for is 2-4. Crosby is the only one-on-one competition for Hutchinson – a guy who could step right in without help and be just as disruptive. But it is also the least realistic. Crosby doesn’t want to leave Las Vegas. He has consistently expressed his commitment to the franchise. Not to mention, the conversation likely starts with two first-round picks. If you’ve listened to Brad Holmes over the years, a big splash like this doesn’t seem to fit with his philosophy. Even then, the Raiders don’t seem inclined to move their star edge rusher.

Campbell and Glenn were assistants for the Saints when the organization drafted Trey Hendrickson. The familiarity is there, and that’s half the battle when it comes to fits that extend beyond this season. Hendrickson has since developed into one of the league’s best pass rushers. In 2023, he recorded 17.5 sacks and 79 pressures. He is therefore looking for a new contract, but both sides have not made any progress in reaching an agreement.

So that’s part of it – dealing with a player who wants a lot of money. But the Bengals also have no real incentive to trade Hendrickson at the moment. Yes, they’re 2-4, but we’re only six games in this season and this is a talented team with enough depth to turn things around. Not to mention, people who have covered the Bengals over the years will tell you that the organization typically doesn’t make in-season trades. It takes two to tango, and it feels like the Bengals would rather go dancing themselves.

The Titans are off to a 1-4 start. Would it make sense to trade edge rusher Harold Landry? Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams coached Landry at Tennessee from 2018 to 2023. Landry totaled 10.5 sacks and 48 pressures in his senior year under Williams’ tutelage. Landry’s contract runs for two years after the 2024 season, so this would be more than just a rental. This can be positive or negative depending on how well he fits with the team. At 1.90 meters tall and weighing 110 kilograms, he is more of a speed rusher than a powerful edge setter like Marcus Davenport. A move for a player with control beyond this year would have to be a good fit. Glenn states that Davenport is the blueprint for what they want as opposed to Hutchinson. Landry could help in the short term, but he isn’t.

One player that makes a ton of sense is Cleveland’s Za’Darius Smith. There is hardly anyone who fits the Lions better than Smith. He is 1.80 m tall, weighs 110 kg, can defend the run, had 60 pressures and a pass rush win rate of 18.5 percent last year. He plays for the Browns team, which is in last place at 1-5 at the time of this article. He is a veteran who has seen a lot and has been productive wherever he has been. With a one-year deal, the Lions wouldn’t be tied to Smith beyond this season, meaning the capital to acquire him could be cheaper than others.

Would the Saints move Carl Granderson or Chase Young? Glenn came to the UDFA from Wyoming in 2019 and was on the Saints’ staff when Granderson entered the league. He has developed into a quality player over the years and has a reasonable contract (signing a 4-year, $52 million deal in 2023). He ranks sixth in the league with 27 and has a win rate of 18.9 percent. At 6’3″ and 220 pounds, he can handle the run and could be an answer beyond this season. However, for the same reasons, he certainly seems like a guy the Saints would like to keep. Young, meanwhile, is on a one-year deal and has been productive early in the season but isn’t always playing at full strength. If the price is right and the Saints are willing to sell, perhaps he could be a target. Speaking of Saints: Is Cam Jordan available?

We’ll see what names are offered as options as the deadline approaches. A lot can change by then. Campbell said Holmes is looking, but a move will only happen if he has the right fit or the right cost. No wonder if you know how this front office works.

“He’s doing what he did, he’s looking,” Campbell said of Holmes. “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 them, and it has to be right if it does. Everything has to be right. And honestly, where we are now, we’re in no hurry. I mean, I believe in the people who are here. I believe in this D-line. That doesn’t mean that we don’t search and don’t evaluate. Brad is, this is his job and he’s good at it and we take it as it comes. But our eyes are open and we want to make sure we have what we need here.”

(Top photo: Joe Rondone / USA Today)