Montgomery (knee) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders. Montgomery hurt the MCL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Bills, after which there was uncertainty about his potential to return this season. Ultimately, after he received numerous opinions regarding the issue, the Lions made the decision to not place him on injured reserve, giving him a chance to come back at some point in the postseason. The call was a fortuitous one after Detroit claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and Montgomery will miss only three games as a result of the injury. It's unclear how much work he may scoop up alongside Jahmyr Gibbs on Saturday, but at the very least Montgomery likely will claim some of the early-down and short-yardage reps that have allowed him to compile 25 rushing touchdowns in 28 regular-season contests with the Lions.
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Montgomery (knee) doesn't have a designation for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders. Montgomery hurt the MCL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Bills, after which there was uncertainty about his potential to return this season. Ultimately, after he received numerous opinions regarding the issue, the Lions made the decision to not place him on injured reserve, giving him a chance to come back at some point in the postseason. The call was a fortuitous one after Detroit claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and Montgomery will miss only three games as a result of the injury. It's unclear how much work he may scoop up alongside Jahmyr Gibbs on Saturday, but at the very least Montgomery likely will claim some of the early-down and short-yardage reps that have allowed him to compile 25 rushing touchdowns in 28 regular-season contests with the Lions.
The Lions listed Montgomery (knee) as a full participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice. Though the Lions didn't take the field for a traditional practice coming off a bye week in the opening round of the playoffs, Montgomery's listed full participation seemingly supports the notion that the running back will be ready to go for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders. Given that Montgomery missed the final three contests of the regular season due to an MCL sprain in his right knee, he could be asked to handle a more limited role out of the backfield in the Lions' postseason opener than he taken on prior to suffering the injury. Second-year tailback Jahmyr Gibbs thrived as the Lions' clear lead option out of the backfield during Montgomery's absence and still projects to get the larger share of the touches Saturday, though Montgomery's bruising running style and ability to contribute as a receiver will make him a welcome addition to the offense. Montgomery made 14 appearances during the regular season, carrying 185 times for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 341 yards on 38 targets.
Head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday that he expects to have Montgomery (knee) available for the Lions' first playoff game in the divisional round, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports. Montgomery initially looked to be at risk of missing the rest of the season after he suffered a left knee injury in a Week 15 loss to the Bills, but he received good news when tests revealed an MCL sprain but no other major structural damage. The running back was able to avoid surgery to address the injury, and he seems to be responding well three weeks into his rehab program. Per Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press, Montgomery went through his first full workout this past Saturday since suffering the knee injury, which included some change-of-pace work. With the Lions having clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs, Montgomery will benefit from more time to heal up before Detroit opens postseason play Jan. 18 or Jan. 19.
Montgomery plans to avoid surgery to address the MCL sprain in his right knee and will rehab the injury with the goal of returning for the divisional round of the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. After Montgomery emerged from this past Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills with the knee injury, head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that the running back would require season-ending surgery. However, after Montgomery received three "high-level medical opinions" on his injury, per Rapoport, the consensus was that the 27-year-old would be able to avoid a procedure on the knee. Montgomery will still miss Detroit's final three games of the regular season and would also remain likely to miss the wild-card round, though that may be a moot point if the 12-2 Lions are able to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs. For whatever length of time Montgomery misses, Jahmyr Gibbs is poised to see as heightened role as Detroit's clear lead back, while Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki could see more opportunities as backups to Gibbs.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said Friday that the team hasn't made a decision about placing Montgomery (knee) on injured reserve, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Montgomery spent much of this week visiting medical experts and now believes he can return from his MCL injury before the end of the campaign without undergoing surgery. Placing him on injured reserve before Sunday's game against the Bears not only would rule Montgomery out for the rest of the regular season but also for Detroit's first game of the playoffs. Given that reality, he may be kept on the roster even if there's no chance he plays again through Week 18. The Lions won't have a playoff game until Jan. 18 or 19 if they earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC, giving Montgomery five weeks from the date of his initial injury to recover.
Montgomery (knee) is now optimistic he'll avoid surgery and hopes to return during the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Previously expected to undergo season-ending surgery for an MCL tear, Montgomery apparently got promising feedback from medical experts and now hopes he can recover with rest. The report suggests he'll still miss the rest of the regular season but may return at some point in January for a Detroit team that's currently battling for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that Montgomery (knee) is seeking a third opinion on his MCL injury, which is why the team has not yet placed him on injured reserve, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. Campbell has already said Montgomery is expected to undergo season-ending surgery to address the MCL sprain in his right knee, but with Detroit gearing up to hopefully make a deep playoff push, the standout running back is leaving the door open for an alternative treatment plan. The expectation remains, though, that Montgomery will be shut down for the remainder of the 2024 campaign, leaving Jahmyr Gibbs atop the backfield, with Craig Reynolds and rookie Sione Vaki handling expanded depth roles.
Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Montgomery will undergo season-ending knee surgery and miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. "We're gonna miss him, man," Campbell added. Montgomery is reportedly dealing with an MCL injury, which he suffered in Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Bills. However, he continued to play through it, so it came as a shock Monday when the nature of the issue was revealed to the public. It's yet another crushing blow to Detroit's injury-riddled roster. Montgomery's loss sets up Jahmyr Gibbs to be a workhorse back the rest of the way. Behind Gibbs on the depth chart are special teams ace Craig Reynolds and rookie Sione Vaki. Jermar Jefferson is additional depth on the practice squad. Montgomery's season finishes with 185 carries for 775 yards (4.2 YPC) and 12 touchdowns. He added 36 catches for 341 yards on 38 targets in the pass game. Montgomery will likely be placed on injured reserve in the coming days.
Montgomery (knee) sustained an MCL injury in his knee during Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills, the severity of which could be season-ending, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Montgomery is undergoing additional tests on his knee Monday and will be seek a second opinion on whatever initial results he receives, but Schefter reports that at this time the standout running back is considered out indefinitely. The Lions have yet to make an official announcement regarding Montgomery's status, but the severity of his knee injury may ultimately rule him out for the remainder of the regular season, and thus the fantasy playoffs, if not the entire 2024 campaign. Montgomery's injury is the latest in a series of brutal blows for Detroit's roster, especially as the team works to mount an impactful playoff run. The lone bright spot for the Lions is that Jahmyr Gibbs remains a backfield option capable of thriving in a lead role. Beginning Sunday versus Chicago, though, it may fall to Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki to complement Gibbs in Montgomery's place.