Detroit Lions RB David Montgomery started the 2023 season off with a bang by scoring a rushing touchdown in the monumental upset against the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Now, after a thigh injury, Montgomery is working back to possibly playing this Thursday night.
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Is David Montgomery Going To Play TNF Week 4?
During the Week 2 matchup between the Lions and Seattle Seahawks, Montgomery suffered an injury later described as a thigh bruise.
The issue with this specific injury was that Montgomery told reporters he would be out for a few weeks, but head coach Dan Campbell stated that his injury would be a “day-to-day” situation.
There was confusion, as both sides seemed completely apart on recovery timelines. But, as with most injuries, the recovery time frame became much clearer with time.
Montgomery was able to practice in a limited fashion during the short week leading up to Thursday Night Football. Head coach Dan Campbell even stated to the media this week that he is “optimistic about his availability” for Thursday night.
Update 09/28/23: Montgomery is officially active for tonight’s game against the Packers.
The Lions’ offense is efficient with the opportunity to flourish, but there is a concern that even if Montgomery does play, they may want to limit his touches so his thigh injury does not worsen.
There was further confusion on Monday morning. An initial report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero had Montgomery as missing the game. However, numerous reports then surfaced stating that Pelissero was incorrect and Montgomery would suit up. Pelissero would later correct his own mistake.
Correction: #Lions RB David Montgomery and LT Taylor Decker ARE playing tonight against the #Packers. CB Emmanuel Moseley is NOT playing.
There was a miscommunication, and I will just have to eat this one. I apologize for the error.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 28, 2023
Fantasy Impact Of Montgomery’s Status
Last week, the Lions offense operated without Montgomery, so more opportunities were in store for rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. The team also elevated RB Craig Reynolds, who contributed only four carries to Gibbs’ 17.
The team did recently add RB Zonovan Knight, who flashed in limited playing time with the New York Jets last season. Still, since he was only recently added to the roster, his impact on Thursday night should be limited, regardless of Montgomery’s status.
If Montgomery was out, Gibbs would become locked in as a starting fantasy running back on any roster. Green Bay is near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed, which bodes well for the Detroit rushing attack. After last week, it’s clear that if Montgomery misses more time down the line, the bulk of the carries will fall to Gibbs.
Trusting Montgomery on his return will be tough. This feels like it could be a fairly even backfield in terms of touches this week, but Dan Campbell is a hard man to predict. It would take a lot to trust Montgomery in lineups with limited practice. However, history suggests he would still be the goal-line option and that carries plenty of value in this offense.