The Detroit Lions have officially completed their bye week and are gearing up for their road trip against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. One of the primary advantages of a bye week is the extra opportunity to rest and recover, and it appears that the Lions did just that. Coach Dan Campbell said on Monday that running back David Montgomery, centre Frank Ragnow, and left guard Jonah Jackson had all made progress in the last week and that he was hopeful about their chances to play.
“All three of those guys moved around today,” Campbell observed. “They were there.” Today was more about fueling the pump and getting them ready for tomorrow. However, we did some solo, group, and special teams segments in which they were all involved.
“I believe so.” We’ll see when we pad them up tomorrow, but they’ve been heading in the correct direction for a while. “We’re hoping to get them,” Campbell remarked.
Montgomery has been out since suffering a rib injury in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jahmyr Gibbs, a first-round rookie, has filled in nicely, rushing for 220 yards and two touchdowns on 37 rushes over the last two games.
With Montgomery due to return, Campbell does not anticipate Gibbs to continue to be the workhorse back—but he may play a larger role than he did earlier in the season when both backs were healthy.
“Certainly we know what David can do, but we know that Gibbs has gotten better every week,” Cambell went on to say. “We’re going to ask those guys to do what they do well, which will help our offence move the ball.” I don’t think I see Gibbs getting 65 plays right now, sitting here talking to you. I don’t see it, but he’ll get his fair share now. We know what he can be, and he’s getting there. So I believe it will be done by committee to ensure that we receive those guys’ touches. Gibbs will be touched.”
Ragnow has only missed one game due to a calf ailment, but Jackson has missed three straight due to an ankle injury. With both players returning, it will be intriguing to see how the Lions handle the right guard position. Graham Glasgow has filled in at every interior offensive line position this season and has performed admirably. Nonetheless, Halapoulivaati Vaitai began the season as the starter. Vaitai has only started three games this season due to knee and back injuries. Will he be able to return to the lineup after the extra rest?
Jackson, Montgomery, and Ragnow were the only three players on the 53-man roster who were unable to participate last Monday due to injury. So the Lions might emerge from the bye with a clean bill of health. More information will be available when the first injury report of the week is released on Wednesday afternoon.
