There was concern that Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery would miss the remainder of the season when he suffered a knee injury during his team's Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but that will not be the case.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Tuesday the expectation is Montgomery will be available to take the field in the NFC Divisional Round.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Dec. 19 that Montgomery visited with multiple medical experts, which led to optimism he would avoid season-ending surgery on the setback and potentially return for the playoffs.
Detroit clinched a first-round bye and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings, so Montgomery and the rest of the injured Lions have an extra week to rest and prepare for the next round.
That extra week is proving important, as the veteran running back will be available.
He was a key piece of the team's offense this season and tallied 775 rushing yards, 341 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. He and Jahmyr Gibbs make up arguably the best one-two running back punch in the league and complement each other well with their different skill sets.
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Montgomery is a physical runner who the Lions can rely on near the goal line and in short-yardage situations even though he can still be a threat in the aerial attack. Gibbs has more explosion and is a candidate to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.
Gibbs has elevated his game since Montgomery's injury with 487 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in three games against the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Vikings. He was unstoppable in the clutch game against Minnesota with four total touchdowns.
The Lions are loaded with weapons with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams even without Montgomery. Adding yet another offensive playmaker to that group in the postseason with the running back's return is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
They will now be forced into situations where they have to pick their poison even more as Detroit looks to take advantage of all that firepower and win a Super Bowl.
