As a crowd of media gathered around David Montgomery on Tuesday evening, one reporter in the group remarked, “We missed you.”
Montgomery smiled in response.
“Don’t make me emotional,” he replied with a playful tone.
Then, turning more serious, he added, “It’s just refreshing kind of to be back in the position where I can help the team.”
“I’m ready to go,” he continued, firmly.
This moment marked the culmination of Montgomery’s personal recovery plan after he sprained the MCL in his right knee during a Dec. 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. At the time, the injury was expected to lead to surgery, ending his season.
“That was news to me,” Montgomery remarked.
Instead of opting for surgery, Montgomery chose to rehabilitate his knee with the intention of returning in time for the playoffs. His recovery plan came to fruition on Tuesday, as he returned to practice ahead of the Lions’ NFC divisional round game against the Washington Commanders. On the team’s injury report, Montgomery was listed as a full participant.
When healthy this season, Montgomery averaged about 28 snaps per game. As a key power back alongside Jahmyr Gibbs in the Lions’ “Sonic and Knuckles” backfield, he rushed for 775 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in 14 games.
Despite having one fewer rush attempt than Gibbs, Montgomery was still considered the offensive tone-setter.
“He’s a huge part of us, and to me he’s a bell cow,” said head coach Dan Campbell. “He’s a catalyst.”
Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown added, “The way he runs, you can’t really replace it.”
The Lions managed to lessen the impact of Montgomery’s absence by increasing Gibbs’ workload. Over the final three regular-season games, which ended in victories, Gibbs averaged 121.67 rushing yards per game.
Gibbs’ outstanding performance in a 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings earlier this month, where he scored four touchdowns, helped the Lions secure their second consecutive NFC North title, the conference’s No. 1 seed, and home-field advantage for the playoffs. Montgomery referred to Gibbs as a “generational talent.”
But Montgomery is no slouch himself.
“He’s a big, big part of this team,” St. Brown said. “We can’t wait to have him out there. I’m excited to see him even go and practice again.”
It’s clear Montgomery shares that excitement about returning to the field.
“I missed it,” he said.
