Forgoing surgery, David Montgomery’s aim was to rehab his MCL with an eye on a postseason return.
It appears that goal is close to coming to fruition for the Detroit Lions running back.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Tuesday that he expects Montgomery to be ready to play when top-seeded Detroit hosts its Divisional Round playoff opener in two weeks.
“I do,” Campbell said quite simply and confidently when asked if he thought Montgomery would be available.
The Lions (15-2), as the NFC’s top seed, are on a bye for Wild Card Weekend and will host a to-be-determined opponent on Saturday, Jan. 18, or Sunday, Jan. 19.
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Having Montgomery, who had 775 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games this season, back would be a major boon.
Montgomery suffered an MCL injury in a Week 15 loss to the Bills and seemed bound for surgery. However, after seeking multiple opinions, it was determined he could rehab the injury, and it seems to have been the best road for his and the Lions’ postseason chances.
The bruising running back is hardly the only Lion sidelined by an injury this season.
Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold suffered a foot contusion on Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings, and is considered day to day, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Unfortunately, linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) and cornerback Carlton Davis (jaw) won’t be returning.
“I don’t see them coming back, at all,” Campbell said on Tuesday.
As for star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a gruesome broken leg on Oct. 13, Campbell isn’t predicting a comeback there, either. However, he’s not counting out Hutch, either.
“I’m going to say it again, he has a season-ending injury,” Campbell said, “but if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan is the best way to say it.”
Thus, the Lions’ injury woes will definitely carry on into the postseason, but there’s very good news forecasted for Montgomery.