There’s hope in Detroit that injured Lions running back David Montgomery, who suffered a torn MCL in his right knee on Sunday, could return in the postseason, ESPN reported Thursday.
Montgomery had been ruled out for the season on Monday and slated for surgery, but for now, he won’t be placed on injured reserve following a third medical opinion.
Per the report, the sixth-year running back “might have avoided season-ending surgery” after going down in Sunday’s 48-42 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills.
On Wednesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell wasn’t ready to rule out Montgomery, who leads the team this season with 12 rushing touchdowns.
“It is one of these injuries that’s unique because you need to know is it stable? OK, is it fixed, or will it scar? And then be certainly stable for now and for later, and then you’ve got to rely on him, like, ‘Hey man, I’m good. I can do this,'” Campbell told reporters.
“So, it’s a combination certainly the doctors then him as well, where he thinks he can go with it and can he protect himself and play at a high level. So, we’re in a holding pattern, which as of right now is a positive.”
Montgomery, 27, has rushed for 775 yards in 14 games this season, forming a dynamic duo with Jahmyr Gibbs (1,047 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns).
Taking over for now as Detroit’s workhorse, Gibbs won’t change his outlook or game plan while preparing for Sunday’s game against the rival Bears in Chicago.
“Basically, the same, it’s nothing different,” the 22-year-old second-year running back said. “I’ve been doing this my whole life, so I don’t look at it any differently.”