David Montgomery injury update: Latest on RB's status as Lions charge for playoffs

Amid a season full of bad news regarding injuries, the Detroit Lions might have dodged a bullet with David Montgomery. The running back was believed to have suffered a season-ending MCL tear during the Week 15 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Lions were patient with this injury, even refusing to add Montgomery to the injured reserve while they looked for alternatives for this injury.

It took a third opinion to give hope to Lions fans regarding Montgomery's potential return. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that the veteran running back spent the last few days talking with medical experts about whether his injury could heal at some point this season, and the updates are promising for the NFC North leaders.

Montgomery will rehab hoping that he could be back in the upcoming 2024 playoffs. The picture is clear now for the back, who has to focus on recovering to be fit for a potential deep playoff run.

David Montgomery injury update: What happened to Lions star RB?

David Montgomery initially left the field with a knee issue in the second quarter of the Bills matchup on Sunday. He returned to the field after halftime but was forced to leave again, with Jahmyr Gibbs taking over for the rest of the game.

He didn't have the best game coming from the backfield, tallying only 4 yards on five carries. On the other hand, he caught four passes for 31 yards.

The Lions (12-2) were in the middle of two possibilities at the start of the week, wondering whether to end the season for Montgomery with surgery or let the injury scar and heal naturally.

Detroit coach Dan Campbell said on Wednesday that they were looking for more opinions to make sure Montgomery was still able to return at some point this season.

“David’s getting another opinion,” Campbell said, per Pride of Detroit. “So he’s had a couple, and really just see(ing) what this third one says. That’s why we have not put him on injured reserve. We’re in waiting mode here.”

He said that doctors' opinions were important, too, but they also needed to take into consideration how the player felt. With the Lions suffering several injuries on the defensive unit, the last thing they need is watching a key part of their offense get down for the remainder of the season.

David Montgomery has 185 carries for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns as well as 36 receptions for 341 yards this season.