The Lions’ damage activation puzzle continues to unravel. Dan Campbell revealed a few of his gamers on IR and people rehabbing accidents whereas nonetheless on the lively roster. Good and dangerous information has emerged.
Chiefly, David Montgomery‘s dodging of a season-ending injury — the feared scenario when Detroit’s beginning operating again went down in Week 15 — is near producing a return. After Montgomery took half in a full exercise earlier than the Lions’ Week 18 sport, Campbell stated via the Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers he expects the just lately prolonged RB to be prepared for the crew’s divisional-round matchup.
Typically, awful information emerges when “crew fears”-driven headlines floor. This represents a uncommon constructive improvement from that place, and the Lions now have two extra weeks to arrange Montgomery to reform his elite tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs, who thrived because the crew’s starter within the veteran’s stead. Gibbs is coming off a four-touchdown efficiency within the Lions’ dismantling of the Vikings. Because of this, Gibbs’ backfield mate has extra time to recuperate.
Whereas Gibbs took on a extra vital function this season, Montgomery nonetheless totaled 775 dashing yards and 12 TDs in 14 video games. Montgomery additionally grew to become a much more vital a part of Detroit’s passing assault, amassing 341 receiving yards after totaling simply 117 in his first Lions season. The crew gave him a two-year, $18.25M extension weeks earlier than his MCL damage.
Montgomery doesn’t issue into the Lions’ IR return puzzle, having been saved on the lively roster. In any other case, he would have wanted to attend yet one more week to return. Linebacker Derrick Barnes does, however Campbell stated neither he nor Carlton Davis can be anticipated to play once more this season. Barnes has been on IR since September with a knee injury. The Lions had not ruled him out, pointing to a possible late-season reemergence. Like D-lineman John Cominsky, nonetheless, no comeback is likely.
This can be a harsh blow to a former Day 3 choose in a contract 12 months, and Barnes had began 26 video games for the Lions since being a part of the primary Campbell-Brad Holmes draft. That included three begins this 12 months. Whereas Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez are completed for the season, Alex Anzalone‘s return alongside Jack Campbell made a distinction in opposition to Minnesota. Barnes’ damage activation place may very well be allotted to rookie DB Ennis Rakestraw. Campbell stated the second-round choose will doubtless be able to go quickly, Rogers adds. Rakestraw, a cornerback chosen 61st general, suffered a hamstring damage throughout a late-November apply. The Missouri alum would signify some insurance coverage, having solely performed 46 defensive snaps this season, for a place group battered by accidents.
Davis sustained a broken jaw in Week 15, and whereas the Lions didn’t place the commerce pickup on IR as hope existed concerning a possible Eleventh-hour return, Campbell stated (via the Detroit Free Press’s Dave Birkett) that’s unlikely. Acquired in a bundle that introduced a third-round choose to the Bucs, Davis began all 13 video games he performed for the Lions. He’s heading towards free company. Turning 28 simply final week, the previous Tremendous Bowl LV starter ought to be anticipated to command intensive curiosity.
The Lions noticed free company addition Amik Robertson play fairly nicely in aid Sunday night time, working totally on Justin Jefferson and largely neutralizing the Vikings celebrity. The previous Raiders common has began the previous three video games instead of Davis, taking part in alongside first-rounder Terrion Arnold. Being unable to place weight on his injured foot upon leaving the Lions’ Week 18 tilt, Arnold suffered a foot contusion. Whereas Campbell stopped wanting confirming Arnold could be again for Spherical 2, the fourth-year HC known as the rookie’s prognosis “constructive.”
