David Montgomery injury update: Is Lions RB playing today vs. Vikings?

The Detroit Lions face a crucial Christmas Day test against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17, and one name Lions fans have been closely tracking is running back David Montgomery. With playoff hopes still mathematically alive, Detroit will want as many key contributors available as possible - and Montgomery’s status has been a late-week talking point.

What injury is David Montgomery dealing with?

Montgomery was added to the injury report earlier this week due to an illness rather than a physical injury. While illnesses can sometimes linger or worsen late in the week, the Lions have not indicated that Montgomery is dealing with anything severe. Importantly, he avoided the injured reserve list and has remained around the team throughout the week.

The illness surfaced after Montgomery practiced in full earlier in the week. He then missed a session before returning in a limited capacity, which ultimately led to the Lions listing him as questionable for the Week 17 matchup.



Despite the questionable tag, Montgomery’s practice participation points toward optimism. After sitting out earlier in the week, he was able to log a limited practice on Wednesday. That return to the field is often viewed as a positive sign, especially when the issue is illness rather than something structural like a hamstring or ankle injury.

NFL teams are typically cautious when it comes to illnesses, but it’s relatively uncommon for a player of Montgomery’s importance to miss a must-win game solely because of sickness, particularly when there are signs of improvement.

Final confirmation will come when the Lions and Vikings release their inactive lists roughly 90 minutes before kickoff.

Should fantasy managers expect David Montgomery to play?

Based on the available information, Montgomery appears more likely to play than sit. His limited practice late in the week and the nature of the injury both point in that direction. However, even if active, expectations should be tempered.

Montgomery’s workload has dipped in recent weeks, and he has not seen consistent double-digit carries since midseason. That trend is unlikely to change dramatically, especially with Gibbs continuing to dominate snaps.

As of now, it looks like Montgomery will be ready to play for the Lions in Week 17 against the Vikings. Nothing is definite until the inactives are revealed, but all indicators point to Detroit expecting him to play. It's still unclear if that will have a big effect on the field, but just having him there would help the Lions try to keep their season going.

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