Lions' David Montgomery: Expected back for divisional round
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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 tests revealed just an MCL sprain and no other major structural damage. Per Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press, Montgomery went through his first full workout since getting hurt this past Saturday, which included some change-of-pace work. With the Lions having clinched a first-round bye, Montgomery will benefit from another week off before Detroit takes the field again Jan. 18 or Jan. 19.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Unsure about IR
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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.
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Lions' David Montgomery: May return for playoffs
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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.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Seeking third opinion on injury
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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.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Suffers potentially serious injury
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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 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 ultimately may 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.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Active on Thanksgiving
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Montgomery (shoulder) is active for Thursday's game against the Bears.
Montgomery exited this past Sunday's 24-6 win at Indianapolis late in the third quarter due to a shoulder injury and didn't return. Afterward, he told Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com that he believed the Lions made the right decision to rest him down the stretch and also that he intended to play Thursday. Detroit held walkthroughs during the entirety of Week 13 prep, and Montgomery followed a DNP/LP/FP practice regimen. It was enough for the sixth-year pro to be available, and he likely will retain his normal role in the backfield working in tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs, which has amounted to 169 touches for 873 yards from scrimmage and 11 rushing TDs for Montgomery in 11 appearances this season.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Listed as questionable
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Montgomery (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Bears.
Montgomery missed the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Colts but said afterward he would be ready by Thursday. It's not entirely clear his optimistic assessment was accurate, but the fact that the Lions listed him as a full practice participant Wednesday is a positive sign. However, the Lions held only walk-through practices on a short week, which means Montgomery didn't really get to test his injured shoulder in drills against teammates. Fantasy managers will want to check back for the final call on Montgomery's active status 90 minutes before the 12:30 p.m. ET kickoff Thursday.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Limited in Tuesday's walk-through
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The Lions listed Montgomery (shoulder) as a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
After leaving early in Sunday's 24-6 win over the Colts with the shoulder issue, Montgomery's status is one to watch with the Lions facing a quick turnaround for Week 13 with a Thursday game against the Bears. The Lions aren't likely to hold any high-intensity practices during the short week, but Montgomery's improvement in being estimated as a non-participant Monday to a limited participant Tuesday is generally a positive sign. Head coach Dan Campbell told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press earlier Tuesday that he feels good about Montgomery's chances of playing in the Thanksgiving Day game.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Plans to play Thursday
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Montgomery, who exited Sunday's 24-6 win over the Colts with a shoulder injury, indicated afterward that he'll be ready for Thursday's game against the Bears, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Per the report, Montgomery added that he believed it was a smart decision to rest him after he sustained his injury, but for now it looks like he's not in line to miss any action beyond Sunday. That said, look for the running back's name to be on the Lions' upcoming injury reports ahead of Thursday's contest.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Two more touchdowns in win
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Montgomery rushed 15 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns and brought in all three targets for 20 yards in the Lions' 52-6 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
Montgomery once again found himself in the end zone in the Lions' lopsided win, making multiple trips via his two- and six-yard runs in the first half. The veteran back was also more involved than usual as a receiver, with his three receptions tying for his second-highest figure of the season in that category. Montgomery's ultra-reliable red-zone role will keep him as a highly viable fantasy asset in all formats heading into a Week 12 road matchup against the Colts.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Totals 96 yards in win
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Montgomery rushed the ball 17 times for 73 yards in Sunday's 24-14 win over the Packers. He added three receptions on three targets for 23 yards.
Montgomery paced the Detroit backfield in sloppy conditions, accounting for 20 touches as opposed to 12 for Jahmyr Gibbs. That marked his highest carry total since Week 3, and he was steady with the opportunity by averaging 4.3 yards per carry with a long gain of 12. However, he did fail to find the end zone for the second time in his last three contests, which has limited his fantasy output in the split backfield.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Deals with adversity in Week 7 win
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Montgomery rushed nine times for 31 yards and brought in three of four targets for 39 yards in the Lions' 31-29 win over the Vikings on Sunday. He also lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
Montgomery missed time in the first half with a knee injury, and although he was able to return, he was significantly outpaced by backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs (160 total yards, two rushing TDs). Montgomery then nearly cost the Lions the game with his rare fourth-quarter fumble, which the Vikings' Ivan Pace was able to scoop up and return 36 yards for a touchdown. Montgomery's rush attempts and rushing yards were both season lows, and he also failed to score for the first time this season, but he'll have a chance at getting back on track with a full workload in a Week 8 home matchup against the Titans.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Back in Sunday's game
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Montgomery (knee) returned to Sunday's game at Minnesota, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
In the middle of the first quarter, Montgomery remained on the turf for a spell after a carry for no gain before he limped off the field with team trainers. After getting examined and working out his knee on an exercise bike, he got back into the contest early in the second quarter. Montgomery will continue to work in tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs out of Detroit's backfield.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Injures knee Sunday
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Montgomery was forced out of Sunday's game against the Vikings with a knee injury.
Before leaving the contest, Montgomery carried twice for three yards and caught both of his targets for 25 yards. In his absence, Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki are left to handle the Lions' Week 7 backfield duties.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Pair of scores in win
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Montgomery rushed the ball 12 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 47-9 win over the Cowboys. He added one reception on one target for zero yards.
Montgomery got the Detroit offense rolling by racking up 28 rushing yards with a touchdown on the team's first drive. He found the end zone again just before halftime with a one-yard touchdown plunge to give him his first multi-score game of the season. Montgomery saw only three carries in the second half due to a blowout game script, and even while splitting work with Jahmyr Gibbs out of the backfield, he has at least 70 total yards and a touchdown in all five games this season.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Lands contract extension
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Montgomery agreed to a two-year, $18.25 million contract extension with the Lions on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Montgomery will get $10.5 million guaranteed in the new deal, which keeps him on the Lions' books through 2027. He has been a tone setter on offense for the Lions this season, scoring one touchdown in each of the team's four contests and tallying 271 yards on 63 carries along with 94 yards on nine catches overall. Backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs -- who has 285 rushing yards and three scores on 54 carries along with an 11-76-1 receiving line this season -- is also signed with the Lions through 2027.
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Lions' David Montgomery: RBs to Start
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Montgomery has scored a touchdown in each of the first two games this season against the Rams and Buccaneers, and he now has a touchdown in 13 of 15 healthy games since coming to Detroit last year. I love his involvement in the passing game in Week 2 against Tampa Bay, with four catches for 35 yards on four targets, and this should be a great matchup against Arizona. The Cardinals allowed James Cook to gain over 100 total yards in Week 1, and Kyren Williams scored a rushing touchdown against Arizona in Week 2. Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs should excel in Week 3, and Montgomery is worth starting as a solid No. 2 running back in all leagues.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Caps dominant OT with winning TD
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Montgomery rushed 17 times for 91 yards and a touchdown while catching his only target for two yards in Sunday's 26-20 overtime win over the Rams.
After watching Jahmyr Gibbs score a one-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, Montgomery powered in one of his own to win the game in overtime. That touchdown capped a drive on which Montgomery dominated a tired Rams defense, producing 45 yards and the game-winning score on five rushing attempts. Montgomery will look to build on the momentum from his strong finish when the Lions host the Buccaneers in Week 2.
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Lions' David Montgomery: RBs to Start
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Jahmyr Gibbs is fine despite missing time in training camp with a hamstring injury, but Montgomery should still be considered a quality No. 2 running back in all leagues. Last season, Montgomery scored a touchdown in all but two healthy games, and this Rams defense is depleted compared to last year with Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones gone, along with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Gibbs and Montgomery should have the chance for a big game at home.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Geared up for Year 2 with Detroit
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Montgomery is entering his second campaign as a primary backfield option for the Lions.
Montgomery signed with Detroit ahead of the 2023 campaign, turning 219 carries into 1,015 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns, while also securing 16 receptions for 117 yards over 14 games with the Lions. The running back operated in the more "traditional" role in the backfield while Jahmyr Gibbs handled more of the receiving work at the position. Although Montgomery had a career low in receptions, his role as the bruiser with Detroit has proven to be a fruitful one over the last two years, with Jamaal Williams scoring 17 touchdowns on the ground for the Lions in 2022. With Gibbs' ADP in the first or second rounds of fantasy drafts, Montgomery's ADP sits around the mid-60s, providing great value to fantasy managers.
