It all but appeared that running back David Montgomery would be yet another player added to the Detroit Lions injured reserve list following an MCL tear suffered in the Lions 42-48 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, that was not to be. Early Thursday evening, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported optimism surrounding Montgomery, who could avoid season-ending knee surgery, making a return during the playoffs possible.
Exiting Sunday’s contest against the Bills in the second quarter with the knee injury, Montgomery was listed as questionable, handing over the workload to Jahmyr Gibbs until halftime. As the third quarter opened, Montgomery was back on the field for a few snaps before being shut down for the rest of the game to await further medical evaluation.
Dan Campbell told reporters on Monday that Montgomery’s season was over with the MCL injury. Wednesday, the outlook leaned more towards the positive side as Montgomery would seek a third opinion from a medical professional, which would keep the sixth-year running back off injured reserve for the time being.
Should the Lions be fortunate enough to reunite Sonic and Knuckles (Gibbs and Montgomery) in the playoffs, it becomes a different defensive game plan for opposing coordinators to stop the league’s best RB duo. Through 14 games, almost evenly splitting snaps between the two has allowed offensive coordinator Ben Johnson the luxury of having a fresher RB on the field than opposing defensive linemen and linebackers and has been on full display as Gibbs currently has the sixth-most rushing yards in the NFL with 1,047. Montgomerymery will finish the regular season with 775 yards on the ground. For the remainder of the season, Gibbs will serve as the Lions lead back, with assumed rotations for Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki, and Jermar Jefferson.
While it’s not guaranteed that rehab will have Montgomery back to game speed and healthy enough for playoff football, for a team snake-bitten with injuries this season- any good news is welcomed.