Lions get disappointing David Montgomery injury update amid Jahmyr Gibbs’s absence

The Detroit Lions’ backfield has taken another hit. With Jahmyr Gibbs already on the shelf with a hamstring injury, the team was handed yet another blow in Week 6 when starting running back David Montgomery exited their 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers early with a rib injury.

By the sounds of it, appears that Montgomery could miss some time. Via Dave Birkett:

“Another hit for the Lions, though nothing has slowed them yet: Sounds like Lions RB David Montgomery will miss some time with the rib injury he suffered yesterday.”

Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that Montgomery will be out “for a little bit” with the rib cartilage injury, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

In some positive news, Campbell indicated that Gibbs is trending in the right direction for Week 7, per Tim Twentyman on X.

Montgomery is having a respectable year after signing with Detroit in the offseason, rushing for 4.1 yards per carry including six touchdowns. He had just six carries before departing on Sunday.

Rib injuries tend to take some time to heal, but this Lions team is as resilient as can be and continues to thrive. Dan Campbell’s squad has won four in a row and now sits at 5-1 on the season.

The run game wasn’t great versus Tampa Bay, but it didn’t need to be. Jared Goff threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns, with Amon-Ra St. Brown reeling in 12 catches for a whopping 124 yards to lead the charge. He singlehandedly cooked the Bucs downfield.

With Montgomery out and Gibbs perhaps limited even if he does return, Craig Reynolds will play a big role for the Lions. The 27-year-old had 10 carries for 15 yards in Week 6 and has averaged 3.7 yards per run in 2023.