(CBS DETROIT) – Lions running back David Montgomery wants to rehab rather than undergo surgery afterward suffered a knee injury last weeksay reports.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Montgomery has consulted with medical experts in recent days and is hopeful he will return for the playoffs.
NFL officials say Montgomery tore MCL during Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. The star running back left the game with an apparent knee injury in the second quarter and returned shortly after halftime before leaving again for the remainder of the game.
The Lions lost to the Bills 48-42.
Following his injury, the Lions announced that Montgomery would seek another opinion on his knee and possibly avoid season-ending surgery.
Montgomery, along with Jahmyr Gibbs, formed half of Detroit’s dynamic backfield. The two had a nearly even split, with Gibbs carrying the ball 186 times for 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Montgomery took 185 carries for 775 yards and 12 scores.
The Lions, currently 12-2, still hope to defend their NFC North title and earn the top seed in the conference playoffs. The team travels to Chicago this weekend to take on the Bears on Sunday, December 22. The kick-off is at 1:00 PM.
In addition to Montgomery trying to make the playoffs, defenseman Aidan Hutchinson said he was on track for his goal of returning to the Lions to make the Superbowl. Hutchison did an interview on actor and Michigan native Taylor Lautner’s podcast “The Squeeze” and discussed the day he suffered an injury to his left shin during Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
“I keep telling all the guys when I see them in the facility, I’m like, ‘Y’all just got to get out there, and I promise I’ll be back,’” he said on the podcast.
