Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery got off to a fast start with his new team in 2023, achieving two top-five PPR finishes at his position in just four full games. He scored in every full game he played and saw at least 20 touches three times.
Unfortunately, the 26-year-old injured his rib cartilage in Week 6 and was placed on the injured reserve. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs has also performed exceptionally well, and the Lions boast ample talent in the running back room.
When will Montgomery return to action, and what is his fantasy football outlook upon his return? Let's delve into it.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
David Montgomery Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Montgomery (ribs) exited the Lions' Week 6 victory over Tampa Bay and was placed on the IR to allow him four full weeks for recovery. Head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism, stating that the running back is 'looking good' for a comeback in Week 10 against the Chargers.
The former Bears running back is not anticipated to face any workload or performance restrictions upon his return, and he should be able to reclaim the role he held earlier in the year. The Lions' offense has performed impressively, making Montgomery a valuable asset moving forward.
David Montgomery Fantasy Football Outlook
During Montgomery's absence, Gibbs received a significant promotion, garnering at least 20 touches in both full games played without Montgomery. The rookie impressively recorded over 100 scrimmage yards in each of those games and scored twice. It's evident that the Lions focusing on a single running back can result in elite fantasy performances.
Recent comments from Coach Campbell suggest a potential shift towards a shared backfield approach for the remainder of the season. Given the Lions' ability to involve their running backs extensively, both Montgomery and Gibbs could hold value working in tandem. The Week 10 matchup against the Chargers will provide fantasy managers with valuable insights on how to assess these players.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:
More Fantasy Football Analysis