Injury update: David Montgomery’s target return date revealed

The Detroit Lions will be missing one of their key offensive pieces for the rest of the regular season, but they may be back just in time for the playoffs. According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Lions running back David Montgomery is eyeing a return in the divisional round of the playoffs.

“He now is going to rehab with a realistic goal of being back for the divisional round of the playoffs,” Rapoport said. “So about a month from now for Montgomery.

Montgomery suffered an MCL injury in the Lions’ Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Originally, it appeared the injury was bad enough to require surgery and end his season—as Lions coach Dan Campbell indicated early last week. However, after seeking three separate doctors, the “prevailing opinion” was that surgery was not necessary, and so rehab began last week.

In another positive sign, over the weekend the Lions opted to keep Montgomery off the injured reserve list, meaning he will not have to sit a mandatory four games before returning.

As of right now, the Lions hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC. That means if they’re able to maintain their grasp on that spot, they’ll have a first-round bye, and Montgomery would theoretically be available for Detroit’s first playoff game in the divisional round.

In the meantime, the Lions will have to rely on Jahmyr Gibbs for at least the next two games. In their first game without Montgomery, the Lions were able to run the ball effectively with Gibbs and company. The second-year running back finished with 109 rushing yards on 23 carries with an additional 45 receiving yards against the Chicago Bears.