The injury bug continues to rear its ugly head in Detroit. The Lions lost running back David Montgomery and defensive tackle Alim McNeill to season-ending injuries in Sunday’s 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
David Montgomery & Alim McNeill Out For The Season
Coach Campbell provides injury updates. pic.twitter.com/UrnzD9g1qa
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 16, 2024
Montgomery suffered an MCL injury that will require surgery, while McNeill tore his ACL. Both injuries will end their respective seasons.
Coach Campbell provided devastating injury updates for Montgomery and McNeill at Monday’s press conference.
“Looks like he’s going to require surgery that’ll put him out for the rest of the year,” Campbell said about Montgomery. “He had gotten it at some point yesterday in that game. I mean, David’s so tough. He continued to play through and then got it checked out today and realized that’s what it was. He’s just the ultimate teammate, ultimate competitor. We’re going to miss him, man.”
Campbell then confirmed McNeill is out for the year and needs surgery to repair his knee.
Montgomery leads the team with 12 rushing touchdowns on 775 rushing yards. Montgomery also has 36 receptions for 341 yards.
Montgomery forms one-half of the “Sonic and Knuckles” tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs.
The 27-year-old running back signed a two-year, $18.25 million extension to remain with the Lions in October.
Meanwhile, McNeill is one of Detroit’s best defensive linemen. McNeill finishes his 2024 campaign with 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Like Montgomery, McNeill also signed an extension—four years for $97 million—earlier this season.
Can The Lions Overcome These Injuries?
Dan Campbell confirmed the Lions have lost David Montgomery, Alim McNeill, and Khalil Dorsey to season-ending injuries. Carlton Davis will miss extended time with a broken jaw.
"We've lost really good players, but nobody cares," Campbell said on Monday. pic.twitter.com/AoE5SI6RoJ
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 16, 2024
The Lions (12-2) are still in first place in the NFC North and sit at the top of the NFC Conference. However, Philadelphia is also 12-2, and the Minnesota Vikings can move to 12-2 with a win over the Bears on Monday night.
Detroit has had brutal injury luck all season. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Sunday’s loss. Plus, cornerback Carlton Davis III suffered a fractured jaw and will be out indefinitely.
The biggest loss to the defense came in Week 6 when Aidan Hutchinson suffered season-ending fractures to his tibia and fibula.
The Lions’ remaining schedule includes two road games against the Bears and 49ers and the home finale against the Vikings.
