The Detroit Lions defeated the New England Patriots 35–10 in Munich, but the win was overshadowed by injuries to Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Hutchinson was hurt while celebrating a sack, and Maye injured his ankle on the same play.
Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams criticized the playing surface at Allianz Arena, saying he believed it may have contributed to both injuries. “Two top players in this league probably got season-ending injuries playing on that field. It was bad,” Williams said after the game. He added that he was not making excuses, noting that both teams played on the same surface and crediting Detroit for executing and making more plays.
Allianz Arena is primarily a soccer stadium, and the field was scheduled to be replaced after the NFL game ahead of Bayern Munich’s match against Cologne on Friday. Hutchinson’s injury occurred in the first quarter, with 9:28 remaining. After recording his sixth sack of the season against Maye, the 268-pound defensive end leaped in celebration, landed awkwardly and went down. He appeared to make no contact with another player.
Hutchinson grabbed his right knee as medical staff came onto the field. He walked off under his own power, then went to the medical tent and locker room before being ruled out. He played for about five and a half minutes, recording a sack, a tackle and a tackle for loss. Williams said he did not know the extent of Maye’s injury.
