Now in Detroit, Montgomery will theoretically replace Jamaal Williams as the team's physical running back. In that role over two years, Williams averaged 13.8 carries and 1.3 catches per game with 20 touchdowns (17 in 2022). It's fair to expect Montgomery to get close to that workload with a shot at scoring several times near the goal line. But the Lions' other running back addition -- rookie Jahmyr Gibbs -- should not only handle passing downs but could eat into Montgomery's role. Montgomery averaged 11.1 PPR points per game splitting in Chicago last season, a number he should be able to match in Motown with upside to hit the 13.3 PPR points Williams had in 2022. It's just enough to put him toward the top of the No. 3 running back group (and the very bottom of the No. 2 tier) as a worthy Round 6 pick.
Montgomery rushed 15 times for 71 yards with one touchdown and one two-point conversion during Thursday's 29-22 loss to the Packers.
After Jahmyr Gibbs seemed to eat into Montgomery's between-the-tackles role coming out of Detroit's Week 9 bye, Montgomery has seen four more carries than Gibbs in each of the two games since then. He also got the nod on a number of goal-line rushing attempts after Gibbs handled four of them over the past couple of weeks, and Montgomery took full advantage of the opportunity to remain the only running back outside of Raheem Mostert to average more than one rushing touchdown per game in 2023. However, Montgomery's role in the passing game was again dwarfed by Gibbs, whose eight targets Thursday is more than half of what Montgomery has seen all year. While both running backs will prevent the other from handling a workhorse role, all indications suggest that the Lions offense should continue to support two highly-fantasy-relevant running backs heading into a Week 13 matchup with New Orleans.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Scores go-ahead TD late in win
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Montgomery rushed 12 times for 76 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 31-26 win over the Bears.
After watching fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs run in a two-yard touchdown in the second quarter, Montgomery scored the game-winning touchdown from one yard out with 29 seconds left in the fourth. This was the second consecutive game since Montgomery's return from a rib injury in which both of Detroit's top two running backs found the end zone. Montgomery and Gibbs will likely continue to split carries as Montgomery looks to add to his season total of eight rushing touchdowns on Thanksgiving against the Packers .
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Lions' David Montgomery: Makes impact in return
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Montgomery carried the ball 12 times for 116 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-38 win over the Chargers.
Seeing his first action since Week 6 after missing Detroit's last two games due to a rib injury, Montgomery didn't skip a beat, recording his third 100-yard performance of the season and scoring his seventh rushing TD on a 75-yard gallop in the second quarter. However, the fifth-year back didn't see the same kind of workload he had prior to his absence, as Jahmyr Gibbs racked up 112 yards from scrimmage and two rushing scores on 17 touches. Even in a timeshare with Gibbs, Montgomery still should be productive, and the duo gets another potentially juicy matchup Week 11 against the Bears.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Logs full practice Thursday
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Montgomery (ribs) practiced in full Thursday.
The Lions didn't get in any on-field work Wednesday, when they listed Montgomery as a full participant. One day later, he again received the same listing, only this time the team practiced. Montgomery thus is poised to see his first game action since Week 6 on Sunday at the Chargers, putting an end to a two-game absence. The biggest question mark in Detroit's backfield moving forward is the breakdown of snaps between Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, the latter of whom tallied 51 touches for 315 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs while the former was sidelined.
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Lions' David Montgomery: RBs to Start (Start/Sit
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Montgomery is on track to return in Week 10 after injuring his ribs in Week 6, and I would put him right back into your Fantasy lineups. We'll see what the Lions do with Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs now that both are healthy. Gibbs went off in the two games Montgomery missed against Baltimore and Las Vegas. I'm still starting Gibbs as a No. 2 running back in all leagues, but Montgomery will hopefully continue to produce at a high level. Prior to Week 6, he scored at least 12.4 PPR points in the four games that he appeared in this season, and he has six rushing touchdowns. The Chargers have allowed seven running backs to score at least 13 PPR points this year, and I'm hopeful Montgomery and Gibbs can both be productive in this matchup.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Gets full listing Wednesday
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Montgomery (ribs) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.
Montgomery hasn't suited up since suffering a rib cartilage injury Week 6 at Tampa Bay, missing two games as a result. With the benefit of a Week 9 bye, however, he appears poised to return Sunday on the road against the Chargers. Having said that, the Lions didn't hold practice Wednesday, so his listing on the Lions' last two reports of Week 10 prep will be telling for his availability and potential upcoming workload. Rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs was a workhorse during Montgomery's absence, racking up 51 touches for 315 yards from scrimmage and two rushing touchdowns, so the breakdown of reps between the two this weekend will be interesting to see, assuming Montgomery is active.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Trending toward Week 10 return
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Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Montgomery (rib) is trending toward a return to action Sunday against the Chargers, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Before the Lions went on bye Week 9, Montgomery missed the team's previous two games with a rib cartilage injury. The time off appears to have allowed Montgomery to heal, as Kyle Meinke of MLive.com relays that the running back didn't seem too inhibited while participating in Monday's walk-through workout coming off the bye week. In the three games this season in which both Montgomery and first-round pick Gibbs have been available, Montgomery has handily paced the Detroit backfield, averaging 24 touches in those contests. However, with Gibbs averaging 5.3 yards per carry on the season and coming off a landmark performance Week 8 against the Raiders in which he accounted for 189 yards from scrimmage, the rookie could end up poaching more work from the veteran than he had previously. Campbell told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press on Monday that he intends to take the backfield "a little by committee," adding that Gibbs will "get his fair share now."
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Lions' David Montgomery: Could return after bye
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Montgomery (ribs) is expected to return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Montgomery will have had a full four weeks to recover from his rib cartilage injury before the matchup in Los Angeles, and Detroit seemingly signaled their confidence in his availability by parting ways with No. 4 running back Devine Ozigbo last Thursday. While it's not clear how the Lions will divvy up the rushing workload after rookie Jahmyr Gibbs excelled in Montgomery's absence, the veteran seems likely to reclaim a significant amount of touches after averaging 22 carries in his first four games of the season.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Unsurprisingly ruled out
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Montgomery (ribs) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's game against the Raiders.
It never seemed possible Montgomery would play prior to the team's Week 9 bye, especially given the severity of the rib cartilage issue. In Montgomery's two absences this season, Jahmyr Gibbs has tallied 148 rushing yards on 28 carries to go along with 16 receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown. Expect the rookie and Craig Reynolds to get a heavy workload against a vulnerable Raiders defense.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Sits out another practice
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Montgomery (ribs) isn't practicing Friday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
With two straight absences to begin Week 8 prep, Montgomery appears to be trending toward missing a second straight game due to a rib cartilage injury. The Lions will wait and see what Montgomery is able to do Saturday -- if anything -- before handing him a designation for Monday's game against the Raiders. If Montgomery is once again sidelined Week 8, rookie Jahmyr Gibbs would be in line for another turn as the Lions' lead back.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Out for Week 7
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Montgomery (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Baltimore.
Montgomery will miss at least one contest due to the rib cartilage issue that he sustained this past Sunday at Tampa Bay. Meanwhile, rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) doesn't have a designation for Week 7, indicating he'll be the Lions' primary running back Sunday, especially with Craig Reynolds (hamstring/toe) questionable to play. Montgomery's next chance to suit up is Monday, Oct. 30 versus the Raiders.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Montgomery (ribs) was a non-participant during Wednesday's walk-through practice.
Montgomery was knocked out of the Lions' Week 6 win over the Buccaneers with what eventually was termed a rib cartilage issue, which head coach Dan Campbell told Colton Pouncy of The Athletic on Monday likely will result in at least one missed game. Meanwhile, No. 2 running back Jahmyr Gibbs was listed as a limited participant Wednesday, and reserve Craig Reynolds sat out due to hamstring and toe issues. With all three of Detriot's backfield options banged up at the moment, the overall situation will be one to watch as the week goes on to see who may be able to play Sunday at Baltimore.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Expected to miss time
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Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Montgomery (ribs) is expected to miss some time, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
Montgomery is dealing with a rib cartilage issue, and Campbell said it's not an easy thing to endure as a running back. Montgomery played just 18 snaps in Sunday's win over the Bucs before leaving with the injury. On the season, he's rushed 94 times for 385 yards and six touchdowns, while adding six catches for 66 yards on 10 targets. In Montgomery's likely Week 7 absence, the Lions hope to get Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) back and also will lean more on Craig Reynolds.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Set for further testing on ribs
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Montgomery is scheduled to undergo further testing after exiting Sunday's 20-6 win over the Buccaneers with a rib injury, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.
Montgomery was injured when he landed hard on the field after being tackled in the second quarter. Initial X-rays on Montgomery's rib came back negative, but further tests are required to determine the precise nature and severity of his injury. With Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) also banged up and having missed the Lions' last two games, Craig Reynolds could be Detroit's lead back Week 7 against Baltimore if the top two options on the depth chart miss further game action.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Another big game
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Montgomery rushed 19 times for 109 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-24 win over the Panthers. He also caught two of six targets for 20 yards.
Montgomery opened the scoring with a 42-yard touchdown on Detroit's first offensive series. With rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) sidelined, Montgomery was the clear focal point of the backfield and continued his excellent start to the season. Along with scoring in each of his four appearances, Montgomery has now topped 125 scrimmage yards in consecutive games. Whether or not Gibbs can return in Week 6 versus the Buccaneers, Montgomery figures to remain key to the Lions' offensive success.
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Lions' David Montgomery: RBs to Start
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This should be a game where Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs both have success against the Panthers, but clearly you're starting Montgomery in all leagues after his performance against the Packers in Week 4. He had 32 carries for 121 yards and three touchdowns, and he added two catches for 20 yards on three targets. He's scored a touchdown in every game he's appeared in so far for the Lions, and he's on pace for 26 rushing touchdowns this season. Every running back with at least 10 carries against the Panthers has scored a touchdown or gained at least 98 total yards, and Carolina is No. 2 in the NFL with six rushing touchdowns allowed to running backs. Look for Montgomery to find the end zone again in Week 5 at home.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Explodes for three touchdowns
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Montgomery rushed 32 times for 121 yards with three touchdowns while catching both of his targets for 20 yards during Thursday's 34-20 win over Green Bay.
Despite speculation over Montgomery's level of involvement coming off a thigh injury, the veteran back wound up reclaiming full control of the backfield from rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, who finished with eight carries and five targets. The extent to which he did so was nothing short of shocking, as Montgomery tied his career high in rushing attempts. With four touchdowns in his first three games with the Lions, Montgomery appears to have picked up right where Jamaal Williams left off in 2022. The good times could keep rolling in a Week 5 matchup with a Panthers team that has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns (six) through the end of Week 3.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Back in action in Week 4
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Montgomery (thigh) is listed as active Thursday at Green Bay.
Despite conflicting reports about his availability for Week 4 earlier Thursday, Montgomery will miss just one game as a result of the bruised left thigh that he suffered Week 2 against the Seahawks. Considering he was listed as limited on Lions practice reports Monday through Wednesday, though, there's a chance he'll be operating on a snap count Thursday. Prior to the aforementioned injury, Montgomery racked up 37 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in his only target for seven yards in a little more than six quarters of action. If Montgomery is unable to handle such a workload, rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs will be the primary beneficiary in the Lions backfield.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Likely to play Thursday
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Montgomery (thigh) is expected to suit up versus the Packers on Thursday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Pelissero's latest report corrects one from earlier in the day, when he reported that Montgomery and left tackle Taylor Decker (ankle) -- both of whom are listed as questionable -- weren't on track to play Thursday. Even though he was tagged as a limited participant for each of the Lions' three walk-through sessions this week, Montgomery looks as though he'll be ready to return from a one-game absence due to the right thigh injury. In any case, confirmation on Montgomery's status will come when Detroit releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, and fantasy managers will likely want to monitor the situation until then. Pelissero relays that Montgomery is expected to reclaim duties as the Lions' lead back Thursday, which could result in Jahmyr Gibbs falling below a 50 percent snap share like he did in both of the first two weeks of the season.
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Lions' David Montgomery: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Montgomery (thigh) is expected to play Thursday night at Green Bay after missing Week 3, and he should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. He should return to his role as the leader in carries for Detroit, and he scored a rushing touchdown in each of the first two games. The Packers have allowed two running backs to score at least 17.5 PPR points this season, and Montgomery has scored at least 14.1 PPR points in five games in a row against Green Bay dating back to his time in Chicago.
