Lions' Campbell 'Optimistic' About David Montgomery's Injury Outlook, Playoff Return
Dec 20, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn't closing the door on a return for running back David Montgomery before the 2024 NFL season fully concludes.
Campbell told reporters the Lions are "optimistic" about Montgomery based on recent visits he had with doctors for his sprained MCL:
The initial fear was that the sixth-year veteran would be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, including the playoffs. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday there's a growing belief he can suit up again after taking some time to rehab.
Detroit's list of injuries, particularly on defense, is leading fans to grow concerned about the team's championship pursuit. It's impossible for a general manager to build enough depth to compensate for this many absences.
Crossed off all the names that are hurt on the Lions defensive depth chart. This was the initial depth chart from week one. List does not include Cominsky, Lynn, Martin or Moseley as they were already on IR. Up to 19 players being hurt for this group. #OnePridepic.twitter.com/JN8VddCmfY
Campbell nevertheless remains defiant. He provided an epic soundbite in an interview on 97.1 The Ticket's Costa & Jansen two days after the Lions' 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Having Montgomery in the backfield at some point in the postseason would be a huge boost for the offense.
Since signing with Detroit in 2023, the 27-year-old has run for 1,790 yards and 25 touchdowns, and he and Jahmyr Gibbs have formed a potent tandem on the ground. The Lions are sixth in rushing, averaging 143.7 yards per game.
Placing Montgomery on injured reserve would rule him out through the NFC Wild Card Round since Detroit has just three games left in the regular season. Having declined to exercise that option to this point is an indicator as to the team's hope he won't need that long to recuperate.
NFL News: Lions' David Montgomery Reportedly Avoids Season-Ending Surgery on Injury
Dec 19, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions jogs across the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
David Montgomery's season may not be over after all.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, "sources are now optimistic that the star avoided the season-ending surgery that was initially feared" after the Detroit Lions running back consulted with a number of medical experts regarding his MCL injury.
While Montgomery has been placed on injured reserve, the hope is that he'll be able to return for the postseason.
Montgomery told reporters on Wednesday that he hopes he can return this season.
"We don't know," he added of those chances. "We're kind of working through the logistics right now. Things may change."
Head coach Dan Campbell previously told reporters he believed the veteran running back would be sidelined for the rest of the 2024 season and require surgery.
Losing Montgomery for the year would have been a huge blow for a Lions team that has been ravaged by injuries this season. Detroit has largely soldiered on, going 12-2 on the season, though the injuries to the defensive side of the ball certainly appeared to play a part in Sunday's 48-42 loss against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Montgomery, 27, has been fantastic for the Lions yet again this season, rushing for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns while serving as the bruising half of his running back platoon with the dynamic Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery operates as an excellent between-the-tackles and goal-line option.
As for the Lions, the team currently remains atop the NFC but has the same record as both the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, with matchups against the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Vikings to close out the season. Even one loss could not only cost them homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, but also the NFC North title.
Regardless, Detroit is heading to the playoffs, and possibily having Montgomery available for the postseason is a bit of good news for a team that continues to be crushed by injuries.
Lions' David Montgomery Getting 3rd Opinion on Knee Injury, Hasn't Been Put on IR
Dec 18, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions jogs across the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions aren't ready to commit to shutting down star running back David Montgomery yet.
The Lions are keeping Montgomery off IR while he seeks a third opinion on his injured knee, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Wednesday.
Campbell previously said on Monday that Montgomery would require season-ending knee surgery after suffering a sprained MCL during the Lions' 48-42 Sunday loss to the Buffalo Bills.
"He's had a couple, and really, just see what this third one says. ... We're in waiting mode here," Campbell said on Wednesday.
Campbell continued: "It is one of these injures that's unique, because you need to know, is it stable? Is it fixed, or will it scar?... It's a combination, certainly, of the doctors, but him as well, where he thinks he can go with it, can he protect himself and play at a high level.
"So we're in a holding pattern, which, as of right now, that's a positive."
Montgomery has split time with Jahmyr Gibbs while helping the Lions deploy one of the strongest rushing duos in the NFL this season. Through 14 games he led the Lions with 12 rushing touchdowns and ranked second to Gibbs with 775 rushing yards.
The running back left the Lions' Week 15 matchup with the Bills in the second quarter and returned briefly in the third before leaving the game entirely.
Montgomery's injury further strained a Lions roster that has lost several key players over the last few weeks, including defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who has been out since suffering a fractured left tibia and fibula in Week 6.
In total the Lions were missing 13 defensive players on IR heading into Sunday's game (h/t ESPN's Eric Woodyard.)
The Lions then lost two more starters on Sunday after defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered a torn ACL and cornerback Carlton Davis III suffered a fractured jaw, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
McNeill is out for the rest of the season, while Davis will be sidelined for six weeks, per Rapoport. It sounds like the Lions are trying every possible avenue before making a similar conclusion about Montgomery.
If Montgomery is ultimately shut down for the rest of the 2024 campaign, the Lions will likely give a heavier workload to Gibbs as the team looks to lean on offense to cover for their limited defensive depth over the last three weeks of the regular season.
Bears Rumors: NFL Insiders 'Fully Expect' Kliff Kingsbury to Get HC Interview
Dec 18, 2024
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 03: Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury of the Washington Commanders looks on against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 03, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Kliff Kingsbury could get another shot at head coaching after one season of directing the Washington Commanders' offense.
NFL insiders "fully expect" the Chicago Bears to interview Kingsbury for their head coaching position following the midseason firing of Matt Eberflus, Jeremy Fowler reported for ESPN.
Kingsbury worked as a senior offensive analyst for USC during Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' final college season.
"I loved being around him. Tremendous person," Kingsbury said about working with Williams following his hire in D.C.
That connection, as well as the "quarterback cachet" he earned while coaching Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals from 2019 to 2022, is expected to earn Kingsbury the interview in Chicago, according to Fowler.
Kingsbury also coached Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield during his tenure as head coach at Texas Tech, and has worked with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in Washington.
Williams has struggled while exposed by a porous offensive line during his rookie season with the Bears. He took his 58th sack of the season during Monday's Week 15 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, which also marked the Bears' eighth straight defeat.
The rookie quarterback told reporters after the loss that taking that number of hits through 14 games was taking a toll on him.
"Say you get in three car accidents in a month, you're going to feel it," Williams said after the loss to the Vikings, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "That's what a hit is in football... you take those over an amount of time and it builds up."
The Bears' current offensive situation isn't sustainable. Given that interim head coach Thomas Brown hasn't been able to turn around the losing streak, Chicago may look outside the organization to help build a stronger situation around Williams for his second NFL season.
The Commanders hired Kingsbury as offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season. He has a history of his offenses in both Arizona and Texas Tech declining in the back half of their seasons but could work to shake off that reputation with three games remaining and a potential playoff berth on the line in D.C.
If Kingsbury is able to help the Commanders reach the postseason in Daniels' first NFL season, he could further boost his candidacy for the opening in Chicago.
Lakers' LeBron James Hypes Justin Jefferson's 'Chalk Toss' MNF TD Celebration Video
Dec 17, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 16: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson's latest celebration earned a stamp of approval from LeBron James.
The Minnesota Vikings wide receiver did his traditional griddy dance with a twist during Monday's win over the Chicago Bears. He also mixed in a "chalk toss" as he danced, imitating how the Los Angeles Lakers star takes the court at the start of games.
The three-time Pro Bowler and 2022 Offensive Player of the Year has plenty to dance about this season. His Vikings improved to 12-2 with the 30-12 victory and moved into a tie for first place in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions.
Detroit and Minnesota are also tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the best record in the NFC, which is critical given the first-round bye and home-field advantage that comes with the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Jefferson finished Monday's game with seven catches for 73 yards and one touchdown. He has 82 catches for 1,243 yards and eight touchdowns on the campaign, extending his streak of consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards to start his career to five.
In addition to the chalk-toss griddy, Jefferson also honored Randy Moss after reaching the end zone:
Justin Jefferson shows love to Randy Moss after scoring a touchdown 💜
Moss revealed on his Instagram page Friday that he has been diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery. His former teammates, Jake Reed and Cris Carter, also brought his No. 84 Vikings jersey out for the coin toss.
Next up for Jefferson and Minnesota is a showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Video: Dan Campbell Reacts to Bills Snapping Lions' Win Streak in Viral Interview
Dec 17, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell once again reached deep into his bag of metaphors to reassure fans with the team's injury issues beginning to pile up.
During an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket's Costa & Jansen (via Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit), Campbell likened the team's situation to "eating filet" and "[forgetting] what it's like when you had nothing and you ate your f--king molded bread."
The coach added that "I don't give a crap whether we gotta win by one point for the rest of the year."
"And I'm going to be happy about it," Campbell said. "We come out of the game with 50 yards of total offense and we win by one? You're going to see smiles on my face. I promise you. If it's the other way, defensively we give up 700 yards and we win by one point, you're going to see a f--king smile from my ear to ear, alright? I can promise you. So we're going to find a way, and we're going to get it done."
Campbell famously made quite an impression during his introductory press conference in Detroit, when he said his team would bite off the kneecaps and other extremities of opposing players.
The coach has ultimately proven to be the breath of fresh air needed to shake off the futility and sense of fatalism that has permeated the franchise for years.
Campbell's defiance right now amid the Lions' injury crisis is the kind of message that will resonate inside the locker room.
Despite losing 48-42 to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Detroit remains one of the NFL's best teams and a genuine Super Bowl contender. Doubts over whether the Lions can maintain that standard are beginning to grow, however.
Running back David Montgomery (torn MCL) and defensive lineman Alim McNeill (torn ACL) both suffered season-ending injuries in the Bills game. They join a long list of Detroit players, particularly on defense, who are unavailable.
Crossed off all the names that are hurt on the Lions defensive depth chart. This was the initial depth chart from week one. List does not include Cominsky, Lynn, Martin or Moseley as they were already on IR. Up to 19 players being hurt for this group. #OnePridepic.twitter.com/JN8VddCmfY
But the Lions won't achieve anything by bemoaning their bad luck, and it sounds like Campbell won't let that happen.
Should they go on to make a deep playoff run, his speech from Tuesday will enter NFL lore forever.
Caleb Williams Breaks Down 'Frustrating' and 'Encouraging' Rookie Year with Bears
Dec 17, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams shares the frustration Chicago Bears fans have had with the 2024 season, but he also believes there have been some positives to takeaway from his first 14 games in the NFL.
Speaking to reporters after Monday's 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Williams expressed his feelings about the "frustrating" and "encouraging" season for the Bears so far:
"It's been frustrating and encouraging. I would say the frustrating part is obviously we're on a -- how many games now, eight?—yeah, eight-game losing streak. Like I've said before, it's new to me. I haven't experienced anything like this. That's the frustrating part. The encouraging part is how much we fight as a team.
"The encouraging part is us as a team ... being able to go through all of what's happened this year. Me not playing well at the beginning of the season and feeling like I was seeing it well and then being able to find ways to keep growing, keep progressing through those times that I was frustrated. Coaches getting fired and all of this stuff going on, 4-10 right now. Being able to wake up, be consistent, do that every day with how it's been going is encouraging for me. It's encouraging for this team and we've got to keep going. It's been encouraging but also frustrating for myself."
There's been plen that has happened with the Bears just in the past few weeks to make it feel like this season has lasted multiple years.
Amid criticism of the offensive play-calling, then-head coach Matt Eberflus fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Nov. 10. The move came just 10 months after Waldron was hired for the job.
The Bears lost their next three games after Waldron's firing, with two losses directly related to poor time management by Eberflus. They settled for a 46-yard field-goal attempt that was blocked as time expired in a 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers rather than try to push the ball forward after getting to Green Bay's 30-yard line with 35 seconds remaining.
On Thanksgiving Day against the Detroit Lions, the Bears only ran one play in the final 30 seconds despite having one timeout to use. They never even got to try a field goal that would have tied the score, instead taking a 23-20 loss.
The Athletic's Adam Jahns and Dianna Russini reported Bears players were "furious" and "pissed" about the late-game management in the loss to Detroit. Eberflus was fired on Nov. 29.
All of this came in a season that began with so much optimism, largely driven by Williams being the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and the fact that he was surrounded by a stellar supporting cast featuring Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and DJ Moore.
Yet just eight months later, the Bears will be conducting a search for a new head coach, trying to find a quick fix for an offensive line that can't block anyone and are still trying to end their losing streak that now stands at eight games.
If the Bears don't win another game this season, they will set a franchise record for the longest single-season losing streak in franchise history. Their longest losing streak overall is 14 games split between the final 10 games of the 2022 season and first four games of the 2023 season.
Williams has shown flashes of the promise that made him the top pick in the 2024 draft. He has thrown for 2,937 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions, while running for 408 yards on 67 attempts.
Aidan Hutchinson Says He's 'on Track' to Return from Injury If Lions Make Super Bowl
Dec 17, 2024
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
As Detroit Lions star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson continues his recovery from a fractured tibia and fibula, he hasn't given up on his hope to be back on the field this year. But he will need his team to continue succeeding without him in the meantime.
During an interview with actor Taylor Lautner, Hutchinson declared, "I'm on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl."
If Dan Campbell didn't get Lions fans fired up enough today, here's a clip from Taylor Lautner's interview with Aidan Hutchinson-- which he says he will be back for the Super Bowl-- that we showed on @gmfb today. pic.twitter.com/q31uLxmUef
Hutchinson added that he's let his goal be known to his teammates, and he hopes that gives them even more motivation to earn the Lions' first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
"I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the facility, I'm like, 'You guys just gotta get there, and I promise you, I'm gonna be back,'" he said.
Hutchinson injured his leg in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said at the time that he anticipated a recovery timetable of four to six months, but he didn't rule out the possibility of the 24-year-old returning this season.
Before going down with the injury, Hutchinson was one of the early frontrunners for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. In five games, he led the league with 7.5 sacks while adding 19 total tackles, six tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Hutchinson said he understands those who question his chances of recovering in time to be back on the field this year, but he won't let the doubters distract him from his goal.
"My mom was like, I remember we were talking yesterday and she's like, 'But Aidan, what if you don't get back? What if you can't?' And I was like, 'There's no other way,'" he said.
Vikings' Justin Jefferson Talks Randy Moss Tribute: 'Always Got to Show Love to Him'
Dec 17, 2024
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 16: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Justin Jefferson used the first opportunity he had to give a shoutout to Minnesota Vikings legend Randy Moss after the Hall of Famer revealed he was recently diagnosed with cancer.
The Vikings superstar dedicated his first-quarter touchdown catch in Monday's 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears to Moss.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Jefferson said he's "always got to show him love" because of what Moss meant to him growing up.
"I'm grateful for what he has done for this game," Jefferson said, "and what he has done for me as a kid. Just watching him and being a fan of him, I've always got to show love to him."
Moss, who has worked as an analyst for ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown since 2016, took an extended leave from the show on Dec. 6 due to an unspecified health issue. He announced on Dec. 13 he was diagnosed with cancer and recently underwent a surgical procedure to address the issue, but he still has to undergo "some chemo and radiation" to make sure it's all out of his body.
The Vikings paid tribute to Moss prior to kickoff against the Bears.
Moss spent eight of his 14 seasons in the NFL with the Vikings. He ranks second in franchise history in receptions (587), receiving yards (9,316) and receiving touchdowns (92).
The four-time All-Pro was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. He was inducted into the Vikings' Ring of Honor in 2017.
Jefferson and the Vikings also honored Moss by earning their seventh straight win. Their 12-2 overall record is tied with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions for the best in the NFC with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
Lions' David Montgomery Posts 'Sonic and Knuckles' Photo After Season-Ending Injury
Dec 17, 2024
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: David Montgomery #5 of the Detroit Lions runs off the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The bond between Detroit Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs remains stronger than ever after Montgomery was ruled out for the season with knee injury.
Gibbs posted a broken heart emoji with a picture of he and Montgomery in an Instagram story, which prompted his teammate to respond with a photo of "Sonic" and "Knuckles" from the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series.
David Montgomery & Jahmyr Gibbs both posted on their IG story following the news of Monty being out for the year 💔 pic.twitter.com/jY7MU5bWOV
According to ESPN's Eric Woodyard, Montgomery and Gibbs don't know the full origins behind their "Knuckles" and "Sonic" nicknames, but they have fully embraced them. Beyond symbolizing their respective running styles, the monikers are a sign of the strong rapport they have formed.
"It's super dope to know that me and him are doing something real special and we just want to keep going and see where it ends up," Montgomery said to Woodyard. "We're trying to be in the history books and I'm saying in the Super Bowl ... we're trying to be in the history books, too, for what me and him can do together, so it's special."
The Lions have utilized the pair to great effect and spilt their workloads almost equally. Gibbs has 225 total touches to 221 for Montgomery.
Now, however, Detroit will have to lean much more heavily on the former after the latter tore his MCL in the team's 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.
Gibbs has run for 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging five-plus yards per carry for the second straight season. He shouldn't have trouble shouldering more of the rushing load.
But Montgomery is one of many key players currently sidelined for the Lions. All of those injuries could add up to serious trouble in the franchise's quest for a Super Bowl title.
