The Detroit Lions have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season, and their rushing attack has been a major reason why. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have dominated on the ground, which has helped the Lions jump out to a 12-2 record despite missing a ton of key players. Now, unfortunately, Montgomery is the latest Lions star to suffer a significant injury that will sideline him. Let’s examine what happened to Montgomery, how long he’ll be out, and what this means for Detroit.
What Is David Montgomery’s Injury?
During last week’s thriller against the Buffalo Bills, the Lions were dealt a huge blow. In addition to losing the game, they lost Montgomery for the rest of the regular season.
On a 4th-and-4 conversion by Amon-Ra St. Brown in the second quarter, Montgomery came limping off the field. He remained on the sideline rather than exiting for the locker room.
His grit and toughness were on full display as he came back on the field in the second half but only received one carry. Once the game ended, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Montgomery would be out with an MCL injury, one that could potentially rule him out for the entire season. Then, Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced that the running back would require surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
However, a recent update opened the door for Montgomery to return during the playoffs.
When Will Montgomery Return From Injury?
Initially, this didn’t look good for the Lions, and Montgomery was expected to miss the entirety of the season.
Then, four days later, Detroit fans got some excellent news: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Montgomery sought a third opinion, and there’s a chance he can return during the playoffs.
While Montgomery is still expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, he’s reportedly targeting the Divisional Round of the playoffs as a return date.
According to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, Montgomery decided to rehab his knee rather than undergo surgery, which is why he he has a chance to return for the postseason.
David Montgomery chose rehab over season-ending knee surgery, betting on a playoff return. @JayGlazer pic.twitter.com/9LRuIV5cJO
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 22, 2024
If the Lions can maintain their hold over the NFC’s No. 1 seed and get a first-round bye, they should have their full arsenal of offensive weapons in place during the playoffs.
That would spell wonders for their postseason chances and give them a legitimate shot at making a Super Bowl run.
How Has Montgomery Performed This Season?
Gibbs and Montgomery are widely regarded as the best one-two punch from the running back position in the league, and when you look at the numbers, it is clear why. Sonic and Knuckles have been virtually unstoppable throughout the 2024 NFL season.
Their play, alongside Jared Goff’s uber-efficient season, has helped the Lions become the best offense in the NFL. Detroit is averaging an NFL-best 32.8 points per game and 1.6 rushing touchdowns per game (third-best in the league).
Montgomery, in his second season with the Lions, is having a spectacular campaign. He has carried the ball 185 times for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns while also catching 36 passes for 341 yards.