The Lions’ dynamic Sonic & Knuckles duo should soon be reunited in the playoffs after head coach Dan Campbell’s major injury announcement on Tuesday.
Star RB David Montgomery, who hasn’t played in nearly a month since suffering a knee injury in Week 15, is officially expected to play in the Divisional Round of the postseason according to Campbell. Initial estimates believed Montgomery was done for the year, though recent comments suggested he could make a surprise return.
In a fortuitous bounce for Detroit, the NFL’s best one-two backfield punch will be on the field together as the Lions try to win the franchise’s first Suepr Bowl.
While Jahmyr Gibbs has become one of the NFL’s premier running backs, there’s no denying how perfect of a complement Montgomery is.
During his two years with Detroit, he’s notched 1,790 rushing yards and 25 TDs, just one fewer score than the total he compiled in four years with Chicago. He’s one of the league’s elite red-zone threats and gives the Lions’ offense a massive boost, not only because of his own skillset but because he can give Gibbs a rest as well.
It remains to be seen who the Lions will play and Montgomery isn’t the only important player who has dealt with an injury recently. That said, Detroit will be a favorite in likely every playoff game they have and that would be true even if the 2019 third-round pick couldn’t suit up.
With Montgomery in the fold, the Lions should look much closer to the team that began the season that the one that ended it. Both squads are capable of hoisting a Lombardi Trophy, yet Detroit is obviously a better team with Montgomery available.
As it stands, the Lions are the favorites to win the Super Bowl at FanDuel Sportsbook with +320 odds. Whether they face the Packers, Commanders, Vikings, or Rams, it’s expected that Campbell’s crew will host the NFC Championship game. Based on this news, an early upset just became far less likely.
The stars are aligning for a special several weeks in Detroit and now it’s on the team to finish the job.
