Lions running back David Montgomery may have avoided a worst-case scenario injury
On an absolutely brutal day for Lions' injuries, running back David Montgomery has apparently avoided a worst-case scenario.

Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks was simply brutal in terms of injuries for the Detroit Lions. Three defensive starters (Kerby Joseph, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Alim McNeill) were banged up on Seattle's first drive, but all three returned. Linebacker James Houston exited the game later with an ankle injury.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was banged up a couple times before leaving the game due to cramping, and right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai left the game in the fourth quarter with looked like a bad left knee injury.
Before the Vaitai and St. Brown were injured at the same time, running back David Montgomery was twisted down awkwardly after a catch. He was looked at the sideline, before being carted off to the locker room.
Prior to the injury, aside from a fumble that can be credited to the Seahawks' defender as a pretty nice play, Montgomery was having a fine game displaying some tough running (16 carries, 67 yards, one touchdown).
#OnePride RB David Montgomery was carted to the locker room with knee injury he suffered on this play
— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) September 17, 2023
Analysis here⏩ https://t.co/TOTYFV1iyB pic.twitter.com/UaYL6syglb
David Montgomery will not be returning to this game. https://t.co/0p9iPENIQG
— Fantasy Nerds (@ffnerd) September 17, 2023
Even with Twitter doctors citing a possible quad/thigh injury, it was easy to think Montgomery possibly had a serious knee issue. Being carted off is always a concerning display to see, but sometimes it's not as severe as it looked in that moment.
Lions running back David Montgomery may have avoided a very serious injury
There's still a lot to be determined by subsequent medical testing. But in-game reports point to Montgomery not having suffered an extremely serious injury.
David Montgomery questionable with a thigh injury, not knee
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 17, 2023
#Lions Injury Update:
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 17, 2023
RB David Montgomery, Thigh, Questionable
Montgomery did not return to Sunday's game, as easily expected. It could be a bad thigh injury he suffered, costing him some games. But it's not being tabbed as a knee issue, which would have invited a worst case, absolutely season-ending scenario like a torn ACL, etc.
So Lions fans and Montgomery's fantasy football owners can take a deep breath, at least for now pending further updates on his injury.
Update: After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell called Montgomery's injury a thigh bruise.
Lions RB David Montgomery’s injury “looks like a thigh bruise,” Dan Campbell said.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 17, 2023
#Lions coach Dan Campbell says it looks like a thigh bruise for David Montgomery. “I’ll know more tomorrow,” he said.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 17, 2023
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