With a list of players on IR that seems to grow every week at this point, any crumb of good injury news is welcome for the Detroit Lions.
On that note, running back David Montgomery will (at least for now) avoid surgery on the injured MCL in his right knee, with rehab the current path and a potential return for the playoffs in play.
Reports defensive end Aidan Hutchinson could return from his broken leg for the Super Bowl if the Lions get there have been backed up by his own words now, with that his publicly stated goal.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone (broken arm) being able to return for the playoffs has always seemed to the expectation, but things can always change.
On Sunday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network had updates on Hutchinson, Anzalone and Montgomery.
Injury updates for Detroit Lions filled with optimism
From @NFLGameDay: The #Lions are expecting several big-names back from injury, while the #Falcons will debut Michael Penix Jr as a starter today. pic.twitter.com/ftIi2yzAzA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 22, 2024
Rapoport noted how hard the Lions have been hit by injuries, but turned positive with the news he had.
"One of the biggest storylines of the entire NFL season, and yes they have been hit hard, but several players are expected back", Rapoport said. "We’ll start with Aidan Hutchinson, who of course broke his leg earlier in the season. My understanding, and this is something he’s said publicly too, is that he is still on track to be back for the Super Bowl if the Lions make it. Certainly something to aspire to."
Anzalone has been out since suffering a broken forearm in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. An original 6-8 week recovery timetable aligns with a return for the playoffs, which Rapoport freshly confirmed.
"Alex Anzalone, their playmaking linebacker, one of the better linebackers in the NFL, he has been out since midseason with a broken forearm. He too should be back for the playoffs", Rapoport said.
Rapoport then had a fresh update on Montgomery, noting the number of medical opinions he sought in hope of avoiding surgery on his knee.
"And then there’s David Montgomery. It was announced earlier this week that David Montgomery was gonna be out for the season with surgery on his MCL, Rapoport said. "He sought three high-level medical opinions. The prevailing opinion was no surgery. He is now going to rehab with a realistic goal of being back for the divisional round of the playoffs, so about a month from now for Montgomery.”
So three key Lions' players could return at the start of, in the midst of or at the end of a playoff run. That's obviously great news, especially compared to the alternative that was in play for Montgomery after he was injured last week.