The Detroit Lions need to adopt a “next man up” attitude when it comes to their running backs. David Montgomery, who abruptly left the Lions’ Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is now anticipated to miss some time with a rib cartilage issue.
After taking over all of Jamaal Williams’ goal-line carries from a year ago, Montgomery had unmistakably established himself as Detroit’s No. 1 running back and the team’s go-to back in the crucial moments of the game. Montgomery, who was formerly with the Chicago Bears, has already scored six touchdowns this season. And in Weeks 4 and 5, he ran for more than 100 yards in each game (wins over the Packers and Panthers, respectively).
Therefore, Montgomery’s injury, which will probably cause him to miss a number of games, is a serious setback for Ben Johnson’s offense. But it also gives Jahmyr Gibbs, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 draft, a chance to shine as a rookie RB. The rookie has missed the previous two weeks due to a hamstring injury, but he is making progress and might play against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
There is no better time than now for Gibbs to put on a standout performance with Montgomery out injured. The Alabama product has accumulated 39 carries for 179 yards through four games, which works out to a respectable 4.6 yards per rush attempt. However, the rookie running back hasn’t yet scored a touchdown or gained more than 100 yards on the ground.
The Lions will rely more heavily on backup running backs Craig Reynolds and Devine Ozigbo in Montgomery’s absence in addition to using Gibbs more actively.
Montgomery was the only other Detroit running back to play in this past Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay. Reynolds and Ozigbo, who was promoted from the practice squad last week, were the only other active backs. Amon-Ra St. Brown’s touchdown against the Buccaneers in the second quarter was made possible by a crucial block from Reynolds, who is in his third season with the Lions and has grown to be a fan favorite.
Reynolds and Ozigbo should be a part of Johnson’s offensive strategy in Baltimore once more. A wide receiver could also be used by the Lions as part of their ground game, as Dan Campbell suggested on Monday.
“We’ve got other guys that we can use on the roster at that (running back) position, probably in the receiver room is where that could come from,” Campbell stated to reporters. If Reynolds and Ozigbo are the only two left, then we’ll take whatever measures are necessary to get through this. But I have faith that those two can manage whatever we need to manage.
It’s interesting to note that in the team’s victory over the Buccaneers in Week 6, Detroit receiver Kalif Raymond was given a carry.
Throughout his career, St. Brown has additionally occasionally been utilized outside the backfield. In 38 career NFL games, the third-year pro has accumulated 17 carries for 160 yards and a touchdown. Maurice Alexander, a wide receiver on the practice squad, is a player the Lions may not have noticed.
For the time being, I think the Lions will use Gibbs and his running back counterparts Reynolds and Ozigbo for the majority of their carries. Johnson will occasionally mix in artists like Raymond and St. Brown.
