Lions RB David Montgomery 'so happy' to be back for playoffs

Sonic and Knuckles are back at it.

Detroit Lions bulldozing running back David Montgomery is ready for his return Saturday against the Washington Commanders.

After initially fearing he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 15, Montgomery has rehabbed, eschewing surgery on his MCL. Tuesday, he was listed as a full participant, an excellent sign not only for his availability in the Divisional Round against Washington but also for how much work he'll be able to handle.

"It's refreshing," Montgomery said Tuesday, via ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "Kind of to be bac

The power back missed three games with the injury but insists he isn't rushing back, noting that he wouldn't play if he "wasn't ready."

Montgomery suffered the injury in the Lions' Week 15 shootout loss to the Buffalo Bills. He got multiple medical opinions before ultimately deciding on rehab over surgery to give himself a shot to return in the postseason.

"I think the speculation that I was getting surgery or that was kind of the end-all, be-all. Nobody really ever knew," Montgomery said. "So when it got put out, I didn't know that I was getting surgery. So the media told me, so it was news to me, but I'm always pretty confident in who I am and how I prepare."

Montgomery generated 775 rush yards and 12 rush TDs on 185 carries in 14 games this season. His pairing with the dynamic Jahmyr Gibbs gives the Lions a duo that powers the NFL's top-scoring offense.

"It'll mean a lot," coach Dan Campbell said. "Five's a big part of us. He's a huge part of us, and to me, he's a bell cow. He's somebody that is a tone-setter. He's a catalyst, so there's a place for him. There's a place for him here, so there'll be a place for him in this game. So it's going to be good to get him back."

The Lions enter Saturday's tilt versus Washington with a significant advantage in the ground attack. Detroit's offense ranked sixth in rushing in 2024, facing a Commanders defense that sat 30th.