Categories: sports

Lions vs. Commanders injury report: David Montgomery returns to practice

The No. 1 seed Detroit Lions will host the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs, which will be played Saturday night.

Although the Lions had a bye week during the Wild Card round of the playoffs, they participated in a few practices before giving their players some extra time to rest and recover from a long season . Despite the extra time off, the Lions didn’t find out they would be facing the Commanders until late Sunday night, and with the game taking place on Saturday, that sets up a somewhat shortened week.

Since the Lions have one day less than in a traditional week, their schedule moves forward a day, meaning their initial injury report is due Tuesday instead of the usual Wednesday. With Tuesday traditionally being a day off for players, the Lions chose to hold a walkthrough practice to start the week. This means that participation levels for this opening practice are only estimates based on what the coaching staff believes each player would have been capable of producing, if it were a full practice.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at Tuesday’s injury report and update what we know. Note that any changes from last week’s report will be in bold.

Injured reserve updates

The Lions started the clock on Rakestraw last Thursday during the final practice of their bye week. Rakestraw should soon be able to return to the active roster and provide the Lions secondary with some much-needed depth. During the break, Lions coach Dan Campbell updated the media on the status of cornerback Carlton Davis and linebacker Derrick Barnes, noting that neither will be recovered in time to return for the playoffs.

No practice

RG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) – Injured in Week 18
DL Pat O’Connor (calf) – Injured in Week 18
CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring/illness) — Injury clock days remaining: 15

Zeitler was injured near the end of the Lions’ Week 18 game against the Vikings, missing the final series of the contest. Last Tuesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell suggested the news regarding Zeitler was positive, but stopped short of suggesting he expected him to play this week.

Even though Zeitler is estimated to have missed Tuesday’s practice, there is still a chance he plays in this upcoming game against the Commanders. If he’s unable to go, rookie Christian Mahogany replaced him in Week 18 and is expected to start at right guard against the Commanders.

O’Connor didn’t get a vote of confidence from Campbell after Week 18, so his absence isn’t surprising at all. The only real question will be: Is his calf injury salvageable or is he likely headed to injured reserve?

Rakestraw returned to practice last week and appears to have missed Tuesday’s walkthrough due to illness (which has been added to his designations in this report). It’s possible he’ll be back as early as tomorrow, or he might miss some time, because illnesses are unpredictable and we’ve seen both outcomes over the last month.

Limited practice

Complete practice

RB David Montgomery (knee) – return to practice
CB Terrion Arnold (foot) – Injured in Week 18

As expected, Montgomery returned to practice on Tuesday and is expected to play this Saturday.

“It will mean a lot,” Campbell said of Montgomery’s return this week. “(Montgomery) is a big part of us, he’s a big part of us, and to me he’s a bell cow, he 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’s going to be good to get it back.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has played masterfully in Montgomery’s absence, but when the duo comes together, he’s incredibly difficult to contain.

Arnold left the field in Week 18 on a trainer’s cart and was seen in a walking boot after the game, but was in good spirits as initial medical results were positive. With an estimated full practice to start the week, things are indeed looking up for the Lions’ first-round rookie and he will have a legitimate chance to start in the playoffs.