David Montgomery opted for rehab over surgery when he injured his knee last month with the aim of returning for the playoffs. He's on track.
Asked Tuesday if he expects Montgomery to play in the divisional round after the Lions' first-round bye, Dan Campbell said, "I do, I do."
It would be a huge boost for the Lions to reunite the dynamic rushing duo of Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs has continued to thrive in three games without Montgomery, but they're even better as a tandem to keep each other fresh.
Montgomery had 185 carries for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns before his injury, plus 36 catches for 341 yards. He was one of four players on the Lions to reach 1,000 scrimmage yards this season, an NFL record.
The Lions also got good news this week on cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) and guard Kevin Zeitler (hamstring), both of whom were injured in Detroit's Week 18 win over the Vikings.
"Can’t guarantee that they’re playing, but it’s much better than it appeared to be when the injuries happened," Campbell said. "It’s positive news."
Arnold, whose X-rays came back negative, is reportedly day to day with a foot contusion. He said he expects to play in the divisional round.
Campbell said the update on defensive lineman Pat O'Connor, who left the Vikings game with a calf injury, is "not as positive, is the best way to say that."
As for the Lions' longer-term injuries, Dan Campbell said he doesn't expect either linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) or cornerback Carlton Davis (jaw) to return, even for the Super Bowl: "They’re doing great (in rehab). I don’t see them coming back at all."
And regarding Aidan Hutchinson, "same thing," said Campbell. "I’m gonna say it again: he has a season-ending injury. But if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan, is the best way to say it."
Hutchinson said last month that he's "on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl" after fracturing his tibia and fibula in October, but it sounds like he's facing an uphill climb to get there.