At first, Dan Campbell said Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was "a little banged" up last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. On Monday reports came he had a torn MCL, and Campbell said Montgomery needed season-ending surgery.
On Tuesday, the Lions did not place Montgomery on IR amid a series of roster moves. At a coat drive event he hosted Tuesday night, he told Lions' team reporter Dannie Rogers about "logistics" being worked through in terms of him possibly being placed on IR eventually.
So, depending on the grade of his MCL injury (Grade 3 is a full tear), the door has been kept open for Montgomery to play again this season-at least for now.
Lions waiting for third opinion on David Montgomery's knee
Campbell spoke to reporters before Wednesday's practice, and his tune on Montgomery's injury had changed from Monday.
"David’s getting another opinion,” Campbell said. “So he’s had a couple, and really just see what this third one says. That’s why we have not put him on injured reserve. We’re in waiting mode here.”
“It is one of these injuries that’s unique, because you need to know: is it stable?” Campbell continued. “Okay, is it fixed or will it scar? If it’s certainly stable for now and for later. And then you’ve got to rely on him. ‘Hey man, I’m good. I can do this.’ So it’s a combination, certainly of the doctors, but of him as well, where he thinks he can go with it and can he protect himself and play at a high level. So we’re in a holding pattern, which, as of right now, that’s a positive.”
This reeks of Montgomery seeking medical opinions until he gets one he likes, i.e. an opinion that would allow him to avoid surgery (as Campbell seemed to hint?) and play again this season. The initial evaluation from Lions' team doctors was not along that line, apparently, and neither was a second opinion, apparently. Hence the seeking of a third opinion, and the delay in putting him on IR.
If Montgomery lands on IR, waiting a few days compared to Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey won't make any difference. So the team is giving him room to seek another opinion, and clinging to some hope he could suit up again this season-maybe in pretty short order, if things come together.