After almost needing season-ending knee surgical procedure, Detroit Lions operating again David Montgomery is predicted to return for the crew’s divisional-round playoff recreation subsequent week.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell advised reporters he expects Montgomery to be obtainable for the crew’s first recreation of the postseason. The Lions had been hit with an damage bug to key gamers this season, so that is excellent news for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
However it’s additionally shocking information, contemplating it was Campbell who confirmed experiences that Montgomery would possibly want season-ending surgical procedure after struggling an MCL injury within the Lions’ Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Payments. After that recreation, Montgomery remained hopeful when requested concerning the severity of his damage and sought additional medical recommendation.
In keeping with The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy and Amos Morale III, Montgomery obtained second and third opinions, and the Lions finally stored him off injured reserve. Montgomery has additionally been telling his teammates that he could be prepared for the playoffs. Now, he appears to be like set to rejoin the Lions on the excellent time.
With the Lions’ 31-9 drubbing of the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, they earned a first-round bye, which implies one other essential week of relaxation. Montgomery will nonetheless in all probability have a restricted position in his first recreation again, but it surely offers offensive coordinator Ben Johnson a key weapon again for the playoffs.
Previous to his damage, Montgomery recorded 775 speeding yards and 12 touchdowns as a part of a two-pronged assault with operating again Jahmyr Gibbs — the highest landing scorer in 2024.