Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Injuries Decimate the Lions. RB David Montgomery Among the Latest.
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 4 months ago on
December 17, 2024

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Detroit. (AP/Duane Burleson)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

ALLEN PARK — The banged-up Detroit Lions took some serious hits in their loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“Nobody cares,” coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “Nobody is going to give us a pass, or put an asterisk next to your record.”

Running back David Montgomery and defensive tackle Alim McNeill need to have season-ending knee surgeries after both were hurt in the setback to Buffalo, Campbell said. Khalil Dorsey had season-ending surgery Sunday night after breaking his leg against the Bills.

The Lions will also be indefinitely without cornerback Carlton Davis III, who had a jaw injury in the 48-42 loss to Buffalo that ended their franchise-record, 11-game winning streak.

“Not sure how long that’s going to be, I just know in the immediate future, I don’t see it,” Campbell said.

Roster Decimated by Injuries

Detroit’s roster has been decimated, putting 18 players on injured reserve and the latest wave will push that total past 20.

The Lions have lost six starters on defense from their Week 1 lineup, including defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who broke his leg two months ago at Dallas.

Detroit (12-2) has overcome the injuries, which have hit the defense particularly hard, well enough to win 11 straight games before losing to Buffalo.

The setback allowed Philadelphia to pull into a tie with Detroit for top seeding in the NFC and gave Minnesota a chance to share first place in the NFC North with three games left in the regular season. The Vikings close the regular season at Detroit.

“Sometimes, you got to get punched in the face,” Campbell said. “This is good for us. We’re going to use this to our advantage and get ready for a division opponent on the road.”

The Lions play at Chicago on Sunday.

Key Players Sidelined

Montgomery will miss an opportunity to play against his former team and to help Detroit attempt to at least reach the Super Bowl for the first time in team history. He played through his knee injury against the Bills, who limited him to 4 yards rushing on five carries and four catches for 31 yards.

“David is so tough,” Campbell said.

Montgomery ran for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns, rotating with speedy running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and had 36 receptions for 341 yards.

“We’re going to miss him,” Campbell said.

McNeill will leave a big void on the defensive line, a position group that had seven players on injured reserve before the standout defensive tackle was injured. He had seven tackles for losses, tied for the team lead with Hutchinson and linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is also on injured reserve.

Davis defended 11 passes, trailing only Brian Branch’s total, and had two interceptions, ranking third on the team this season.

Dorsey was among the top tacklers on special teams and returned four kickoffs, including one for 72 yards to help Detroit pull away in a tied game with Tennessee.

Opportunities for Others

“Some guys are going to have an unbelievable opportunity,” Campbell said. “You’re a guy who’s on the vet squad or you’re a young player or you’re somebody that’s been dying to get an opportunity, you’re about to get it.”

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Edman Delivers in 10th as Dodgers Weather Myers’ Pinch-Hit Slam for Win Over Marlins

DON'T MISS

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

DON'T MISS

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

DON'T MISS

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

DON'T MISS

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

DON'T MISS

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Man, Linked to Norteño Gang, Sentenced for Manufacturing Explosives

DON'T MISS

Shedeur Sanders Was Not the Only Prospect to Receive a Prank Call During the NFL Draft

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Confidence Plunges to Lowest in 5 Years on Tariff Worries

UP NEXT

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

UP NEXT

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

UP NEXT

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

UP NEXT

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

UP NEXT

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

UP NEXT

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

UP NEXT

Tulare County Man, Linked to Norteño Gang, Sentenced for Manufacturing Explosives

UP NEXT

Shedeur Sanders Was Not the Only Prospect to Receive a Prank Call During the NFL Draft

UP NEXT

US Consumer Confidence Plunges to Lowest in 5 Years on Tariff Worries

UP NEXT

Coca-Cola Reports Better-Than-Expected Quarterly Profit, Says It Can Manage Through Tariffs

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

30 minutes ago

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

30 minutes ago

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

33 minutes ago

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

40 minutes ago

Tulare County Man, Linked to Norteño Gang, Sentenced for Manufacturing Explosives

40 minutes ago

Shedeur Sanders Was Not the Only Prospect to Receive a Prank Call During the NFL Draft

47 minutes ago

US Consumer Confidence Plunges to Lowest in 5 Years on Tariff Worries

51 minutes ago

Coca-Cola Reports Better-Than-Expected Quarterly Profit, Says It Can Manage Through Tariffs

55 minutes ago

How California Sanctuary Policies Are Faring Under Pressure From Trump

57 minutes ago

Trump Signs 3 Executive Orders, Addressing Immigration and Policing

1 hour ago

Edman Delivers in 10th as Dodgers Weather Myers’ Pinch-Hit Slam for Win Over Marlins

LOS ANGELES — Tommy Edman hit a two-run single in the 10th inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers blew a five-run lead before rallying to beat t...

19 minutes ago

19 minutes ago

Edman Delivers in 10th as Dodgers Weather Myers’ Pinch-Hit Slam for Win Over Marlins

24 minutes ago

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

27 minutes ago

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

30 minutes ago

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

30 minutes ago

Police Saddled Up for Alcohol Sting During Clovis Rodeo, 22 Arrested

33 minutes ago

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

40 minutes ago

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

A Porterville man and Norteño gang member was sentenced Monday, April 28, 2025, to nearly six years in prison for manufacturing 3D-printed explosives and possessing an unregistered silencer. (Department of Justice)
40 minutes ago

Tulare County Man, Linked to Norteño Gang, Sentenced for Manufacturing Explosives

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend