Detroit Lions Injury Update: Dan Campbell Offers Mixed News as Playoff Push Looms
Good news and bad news—both are on the table for the Detroit Lions as they enter their playoff bye week. In his Tuesday afternoon press conference, head coach Dan Campbell shared an optimistic outlook on some players’ recovery, while acknowledging tough odds for others.
Positive Developments for Key Players
The brightest update came on the status of David Montgomery, the Lions’ powerful running back, who has been sidelined since injuring his left knee’s MCL in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills. According to Campbell, Montgomery is expected to return for the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, set for January 18 or 19.
“I do,” Campbell confirmed when asked about Montgomery’s availability. “I expect him to be ready.”
Before his injury, Montgomery had been splitting carries with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, who has taken on a larger workload in his absence. Now, the Lions’ dynamic running back duo will be intact when they resume their playoff push.
Campbell also shared promising news about Terrion Arnold, the rookie cornerback who suffered a concerning foot injury during the Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Arnold, who was carted off the field, has been diagnosed with a foot contusion, and while he’s still considered day-to-day, Campbell revealed that the initial outlook is much better than it appeared in the moment.
“We got better news on Zeitler and Arnold,” Campbell said, referring to both Arnold and offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, who also sustained a leg injury during the same game. “I can’t guarantee that they are playing, but it’s much better than it looked at first. So it’s positive news.”
Aidan Hutchinson’s Super Bowl Hopes Dim
But not all the injury news was upbeat. Aidan Hutchinson, who was in the midst of a breakout season, will not be returning to the field anytime soon. The star defensive lineman broke his left tibia and fibula in an October win over the Dallas Cowboys. Despite a four- to six-month recovery timeline, Hutchinson has not given up on the possibility of playing in the Super Bowl, should the Lions make it that far.
Campbell was clear, though, about the severity of Hutchinson’s injury: “He has a season-ending injury. But if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan.”
Despite Campbell’s cautious stance, Hutchinson himself remains hopeful. In mid-December, he told actor Taylor Lautner in an interview that he was “on track” to return for the Super Bowl, should the Lions reach it. His social media posts have continued to show his determination, including a recent video of him running underwater with the caption, “Making strides.”
However, Campbell has remained firm in his belief that it’s unlikely Hutchinson will make it back. Still, if anyone could defy the odds, it’s Hutchinson, who finished the season with 7.5 sacks despite playing just five games.
Other Injury Updates: Uncertainty for Several Key Players
Campbell also provided updates on several other injured players, many of whom are not expected to return this season.
Derrick Barnes, the linebacker who tore his MCL and PCL in his right knee during Week 3, remains on a recovery timeline that would keep him out for the rest of the season. Likewise, Carlton Davis III will not return after breaking his jaw in December. Campbell made it clear that neither player is likely to see the field again this year: “I don’t see them coming back at all.”
The lone player with a slim chance of returning is Ennis Rakestraw Jr., the cornerback selected by the Lions in the second round last year. He’s still recovering, but Campbell said there remains a possibility he could make a comeback.
Lions Prepare for Playoffs with a Mixture of Hope and Reality
As the Detroit Lions head into their playoff run, Campbell has made it clear that he won’t overpromise on player returns. While the team is bolstered by the impending return of Montgomery and the improved prognosis for Arnold, the road ahead remains uncertain for other key players like Hutchinson and Barnes.
The Lions will return to action in two weeks, hoping to make a deep run in the postseason, with David Montgomery and possibly Terrion Arnold ready to contribute, and a Super Bowl appearance still within reach—though it will take an extraordinary effort to bring Hutchinson back to the field.
