In his first press conference since the Lions clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC postseason, Lions head coach Dan Campbell ran through a list of Detroit’s injured players. While not all news was positive, a couple of key players appear ready to come back right away,
David Montgomery
Detroit’s running back has been out since Week 15 with an MCL injury to his knee. After giving a positive update to NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark on Sunday night, Campbell confirmed that Montgomery is expected to play in the Lions’ first playoff game.
Terrion Arnold and Kevin Zeitler
The two key starters who left the win over Minnesota with injuries got lumped together in a single comment by Campbell.
“We got better news on Zeitler and Arnold,” Campbell stated. “I can’t guarantee that they’re playing (In the division round) but it’s much better than it appeared to be when the injuries happened.
Arnold, the team’s first-round CB, injured his foot while making a tackle and getting caught in a little friendly fire. He was carted off the field from the sideline after being unable to put any weight on his foot. In his postgame press conference, Campbell had indicated that initial x-rays were negative, and Arnold has since stated he was ready to play.
Right guard Zeitler left the Vikings game very late with an apparent hamstring injury.
Aidan Hutchinson
Nothing really new here on the Lions star pass rusher, who broke his lower leg in the win over Dallas. Campbell reiterated it’s unlikely but not impossible for a return from Hutchinson.
“He had a season-ending injury,” Campbell stated. “But if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan.”
Pat O’Connor
Campbell stated the news was “not as positive” on the veteran defensive lineman. O’Connor injured his calf in the win over Minnesota.
Ennis Rakestraw
“I do think there’s a chance we get (Rakestraw) back,” Campbell said of the rookie CB. “He’s trending the right way too.”
Rakestraw has been on injured reserve since suffering a hamstring injury in practice prior to the Week 12 matchup with the Jaguars. Rakestraw missed time earlier in the season with the same injury.
Ruled out for the rest of the postseason
Campbell ruled out two Lions defenders for the rest of the season. SAM backer Derrick Barnes, who has missed several months with a knee injury, was not a surprise.
Cornerback Carlton Davis was a little more noteworthy. Davis broke his jaw in Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was already playing through a broken thumb. Campbell’s indication that Davis will not return means more outside CB reps for Amik Robertson, who was stellar in that role in the Week 18 win over Minnesota.
