Lions running back David Montgomery may have avoided a worst-case scenario injury

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).

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.

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.