Ben Johnson hints at getting Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery on the field together a good bit more

Way back during OTAs, the idea of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs on the field together was sort of out there. But so far this season, with the "two-headed monster" head coach Dan Campbell envisioned in August having played just three of eight games together, that idea has fallen by the wayside.

But Montgomery is set to return from his rib injury against the Chargers in Week 10, and Gibbs has shown what he can do over the last two games before the bye. How the two will be deployed, separately or even together, will be interesting to see moving forward. Based on their previous three games together, Gibbs will surely see a larger share of the workload. That's about all we can say we "know."

On Thursday offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talked about Gibbs' progress, which has shown in recent results.

"We feel good about continuing to push the different schemes at him,” Johnson said. “He’s been effective inside the tackles, he’s not just a perimeter player like I think the narrative might be out there for him in the run game. And his route tree is still growing. Looking forward to getting him and Monty both their fair load of touches. They both have proven worthy of it.”

Will the Lions start putting Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery on the field together?

If you were to rank the best Lions' skill position players, Gibbs and Montgomery are two of the top three or four if both are available. They've only been on the field together for a handful of snaps so far, if only due to lack of opportunities to do it when both guys have been available.

But Johnson gave a strong hint that more is coming.

"Usually you want to get those 11 guys out on the field together as much as possible and I think both of those guys are within those top-11 players that we have on offense,” Johnson said. “So there’s a strong argument to get them both out there together more often.”

Gibbs is a great dual threat, and Montgomery is plenty capable as a pass catcher too. There is a line to toe with it, but having the two backs on the field together more is a good idea and it looks like Johnson will find ways (and has already found ways) to do it going forward.