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David Montgomery expected back for playoffs; Lions get good news on Terrion Arnold

Richard Silva, The Detroit News on

Published in Football

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions expect to have their offensive tone-setter back soon.

Asked Tuesday if he anticipates running back David Montgomery being available for Detroit's first postseason game — which is scheduled to be played either Jan. 18 or 19 — head coach Dan Campbell said, "I do." The opponent for that matchup is still to be determined, but it will be one of the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders or Green Bay Packers visiting Ford Field.

Montgomery has missed the last three games due to an injury to his left MCL he suffered against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15. Jahmyr Gibbs has taken on a larger workload with Montgomery on the shelf, as the second-year back has tallied 487 yards from scrimmage over the last three weeks.

Campbell also updated the injury statuses of cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot), defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (calf) and offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (hamstring), all of whom exited early in Sunday night's win over the Minnesota Vikings. Campbell said the team received good news on Arnold and Zeitler, but he "can't guarantee that they're playing."

"It’s much better than it appeared to be when the injuries happened," Campbell said.

 

The outlook wasn't as promising for O'Connor: "Not as positive is the best way to say that," the coach added.

In terms of long-term injuries, Campbell said he doesn't see cornerback Carlton Davis III (jaw) or linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) coming back at any point, even for a potential Super Bowl. Rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring) is "trending the right way" to return from injured reserve at some point.

As for defensive end Aidan Hutchinson: "He has a season-ending injury," Campbell said. "But if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan."


©2025 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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