The Detroit Lions are more optimistic about David Montgomery returning at some point in the NFL playoffs than they were immediately after he suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, but Lions coach Dan Campbell said Friday the team still is weighing whether to make a roster move with its veteran running back.

“We’ve still got a decision to make because even if that is the case (that he returns) it’s a matter of, do you put him on IR, do you see how fast he can come back from it, all that,” Campbell said. “But it certainly sounds more optimistic, that’s probably the best way to say it.”

The Lions initially feared Montgomery would need season-ending surgery after tests Monday revealed he tore the MCL in his right knee.

After consulting with additional doctors, Montgomery decided to hold off on surgery and rehab his knee with an eye on returning for the playoffs.

The Lions (12-2) have three games left in the regular season, at the Chicago Bears on Sunday, at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17 and home against the Minnesota Vikings in the season finale.

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Montgomery would have to miss a minimum of four weeks if the Lions place him on injured reserve. The earliest he could return would be for the divisional round of the playoffs Jan. 18-19.

“I guess whatever has been put out there is what it is,” Campbell said. “That’s optimistic with a couple of doctors that he saw, the last two. So I think we may see where this thing goes.”

Campbell also said cornerback Carlton Davis III is unlikely to return late in the playoffs from the broken jaw he suffered against the Bills, though the door remains open for that possibility. The Lions placed Davis on IR earlier this week.

“I’d say nothing has changed as of right now,” Campbell said. “It doesn’t look optimistic to get him back. Doesn’t mean it won’t, but it just — I don’t foresee that right now.”