Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he expects running back David Montgomery to be ready for the NFC divisional round.
“I do,” Campbell said Tuesday when asked if he expected Montgomery to return.
Montgomery hurt his MCL during the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills and has missed the last three games.
At first, his knee injury seemed like it could end his season, but after getting three medical opinions, he chose rehab instead of surgery, hoping to return for the playoffs.
Without Montgomery, running back Jahmyr Gibbs has taken over the main role as the Lions finished the regular season with three straight wins.
On Sunday night, the Lions secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time in team history, as well as back-to-back NFC North championships, with a 31-9 win over Minnesota. Gibbs also set a career-high with four touchdowns against the Vikings, finishing the season with 20 scrimmage touchdowns, leading the league.
This win also gave Detroit a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Montgomery is the second-leading rusher for Detroit with 775 yards and 12 touchdowns, behind Gibbs, who has 1,412 rushing yards.
