David Montgomery, one half of the team’s dynamic running back tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs, is scheduled to have season-ending knee surgery on Monday, according to Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Montgomery reportedly tore his MCL in Detroit’s loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but he hasn’t been placed on injured reserve yet, giving fans hope that he will play again this season. The sixth-year pro also left the door open to playing again while hosting a local coat drive on Tuesday.
“I’m not sure. Right now, we’re sort of sorting out the logistics. Regarding the injury, an upbeat Montgomery told Lions team reporter Dannie Rogers, “Things might change.” And he said, “I hope so,” in response to a direct question about whether he will play again this season.
Ben Johnson’s offence would suffer a serious setback if Montgomery were to be sidelined for the season. The former Bears running back, who is known as the “Knuckles” to Gibbs’ “Sonic,” has dominated rival defences throughout the 2024 season. He has carried 185 times for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. In addition, he has 341 more yards as a pass-catcher. Throughout the season, Montgomery and Gibbs have been a great match, creating one of the top backfield combinations in the league.
Anticipate an even greater workload for the previously mentioned Gibbs in Montgomery’s place. In 14 games, the second-year back has already accumulated a career-high 1,047 running yards and 11 touchdowns, setting the stage for a career-best campaign. In addition, as a receiver, the dual-threat back has added 395 yards and three scores. According to reports, the former Alabama and Georgia Tech back is prepared to take on the added responsibility. Being the best guy has always come naturally to me because I’ve been doing this my entire life. Gibbs stated on Tuesday’s episode of “The Jim Rome Show” that “I don’t think it’s going to be too different right now.”
Montgomery can play through pain and is unquestionably a tough running back both psychologically and physically. Therefore, to rule him out and state that there is no possibility that he will play again this season would be ridiculous. With an injury as severe as a ruptured MCL, however, it will be a difficult fight, and the chances are undoubtedly against him. In a similar vein, Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson hasn’t given up on making a comeback this season despite missing Week 6 due to a broken tibia and fibula. He also recently stated that if Detroit makes it to the Super Bowl, he will do exactly that.