Lions’ David Montgomery confident after ‘intense’ knee rehabilitation

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice at the Meijer Performance Center.

As the top-seeded Lions prepare to host the Washington Commanders Saturday night at Ford Field, Montgomery said he is excited to return for the divisional round after missing Detroit’s final three regular-season games due to a right MCL injury.

“It’s refreshing,” Montgomery said. “Somehow I’m back in the position where I can help the team, yeah, I missed it, I’m so happy to be back.”

Montgomery was also a key contributor for the Lions in last year’s playoff run through the NFC Championship Game, totaling 183 yards in three games, the most in a postseason in franchise history.

Montgomery says he’s confident in his knee and “wouldn’t be out there if I wasn’t ready.” His rigorous rehabilitation routine included physical strengthening of the MCL, which he described as “pretty intense” but also necessary to achieve his goal of returning in that time frame.

After suffering a knee injury in a loss to Buffalo in Week 15, Montgomery received three medical opinions before choosing rehabilitation over surgery with the optimistic outcome of a return to the playoffs. He said he was satisfied with the decision.

“I think the speculation that I was going to have surgery or something was kind of the end of it. Nobody really ever knew,” Montgomery said. “So when it came out, I didn’t know I was going to have surgery. That’s what the media told me, so it was news to me, but I still feel pretty confident in who I am and how I prepare.”

Montgomery has rushed for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, making him the Lions’ second-leading rusher behind Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs, who has 1,412 rushing yards and a league-high 20 touchdowns.

Lions coach Dan Campbell also welcomed Montgomery with open arms and believes he will contribute immediately.

“It will mean a lot,” Campbell said. “Five is a big part of us. He’s a big part of us, and to me, he’s a bell cow. He’s someone who sets the tone. He’s a catalyst, so there’s a place for him. There is a place for him here, so there will be a place for him in this match, so it will be good to get him back.

Montgomery was able to get tough yardage for the Lions as part of a dangerous running back tandem with Gibbs. Since joining the Lions in 2023, he has averaged 2.0 yards after first contact, which ranks fifth in the league with a minimum of 300 carries, according to ESPN Research.

He said he envisions the Lions reaching their first Super Bowl with him on the field as a key contributor.

“I would love for us to go to the Super Bowl,” Montgomery said. “It’s crazy. And the closer we get, the more alive they become. I get them a lot. But I don’t know what it’s going to look like once we get there, but I know we’ll be there.”