Back in action, Lions’ Montgomery gives up postseason to Gibbs

ALLEN PARK – David Montgomery missed the final three weeks of the NFL season with a medial collateral ligament injury, coinciding with the emergence of backfield partner Jahmyr Gibbs as a “solo act.” The situation raised questions about Montgomery’s role upon his return to the Detroit Lions lineup.

After practice Tuesday, the sixth-year running back addressed those questions, and then some.

Montgomery spoke to reporters for the first time since suffering the injury in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Although it was just a walk-through, Montgomery returned to practice and expressed how refreshing it was to be in a position to help his team again.

While speaking, he also addressed early reports regarding the status of his injury.

“I think the speculation that I was going to have surgery or that it was kind of the end of everything, no one really knew. So when it came out, I didn’t know I was going to have surgery until the media told me, so it was news to me,” Montgomery said. “But I’m always pretty confident in who I am and how I prepare. I mean, I know who my God is too, so it’s really not much or anything I know that I can’t get over when I know who is the head of my life.

“So I just keep praising God and making sure that I’m doing everything in his name and that I’m where I’m supposed to be because I’m supposed to be here. It has never depended on me. It will never be up to me, but it is his way, so it will be his way.”

With Montgomery sidelined after starting the first 15 games of the season, Gibbs stepped in as the Lions’ top bellboy, delivering a standout near-start performance to close out the regular season.

During those three games, Gibbs accumulated 365 rushing yards and five touchdowns while catching 13 passes for 122 yards and another touchdown. He was a key factor in the Lions’ Week 18 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, scoring all of the team’s touchdowns and raising his season total to a league-best 20.

For most of the last two seasons, the Lions have relied on Montgomery and Gibbs as their two-headed rushing attack.

However, with Gibbs showing his full potential to close out the season, Montgomery appears willing to accept a complementary role.

“I mean, he’s a dog. It’s pretty obvious,” Montgomery said. “Jah is special, he is a generational talent and I expected nothing less from him. Then Jah is going to roll. I’m going to do whatever he needs from me, I’m going to make sure he has it. But this kind of show.”

On Saturday, the Lions will host the Washington Commanders at Ford Field in a divisional round matchup to determine who advances to the NFC Championship.

While Gibbs has been outstanding, Montgomery’s return could ease his workload. Montgomery shared that he is not on a “pitch count” and that no additional precautions will be taken as he is ready to contribute fully.

“It was just locking yourself in, putting blinders on your horses and silencing the noise of the world and just attacking it every day, no matter what the day is like,” Montgomery said of his mindset after being cleared to play. “As long as I have the opportunity to wake up every day, no matter what I looked like the day before, I have (the opportunity) to change.

“So I looked at it that way and gave it my best every chance I got. Like I said, God put me here for something here now.”

Montgomery explained that his rehabilitation focused on strengthening his knee and breaking up scar tissue, describing the process as “quite physical (and) quite strenuous.”

As he prepares to return against the Commanders, Montgomery, known as the Lions’ “tone-setter,” said his main goal is simply to play football.

“I try to respect the game as much as I can. “I know this game saved my life in so many ways,” Montgomery said. “So, I mean, my job is to try to give back to this game that has taken me further than I could ever imagine. So it’s great that people see me as someone who sets the tone, but it’s just my respect for the game.”

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