Dan Campbell offers several Lions injury updates, talks options at CB
Dec 16, 2024
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Lions coach Dan Campbell offered a laundry list of injury updates, and discussed potential options at cornerback. Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media on Monday afternoon and offered plenty of updates on injuries—both on players who suffered recent injuries and the potential return of others.
Here’s what we know:
RB David Montgomery done for the year
Campbell noted that Montgomery’s injury will require surgery, and he will be out for the remainder of the year. Previous reports suggested it was an MCL injury that required more testing, and Campbell noted that those tests confirmed the worst.
“Looks like he’s going to require surgery that’ll put him out for the rest of the year,” Campbell said. “He had gotten it at some point yesterday in that game. David’s so tough, man. He continued to play through, and then got it checked out today, and realized that’s what it was.”
Montgomery leads the team with 12 rushing touchdowns and was Detroit’s tone-setter all year with his physical rushing style.
“He’s just the ultimate teammate, the ultimate competitor. We’re going to miss him,” Campbell said. “He’s another one of those guys that got us into this position, helped to get us to where we’re at, and the rest of us, we owe him to keep going and make sure that wasn’t in vain.”
DT Alim McNeill done for the year
It was previously reported that McNeill suffered a torn ACL and is out for the year. Campbell confirmed McNeill’s season is over and he will require surgery.
CB Khalil Dorsey undergoes surgery
Dorsey suffered a serious leg injury that required an aircast and an immediate trip to the hospital. Campbell confirmed that Dorsey already underwent surgery on Sunday night.
CB Carlton Davis is out, unclear if a return is possible
Campbell confirmed previous reports that Davis has a jaw injury and will be out. When asked if there’s any chance he could return in the playoffs, Campbell was non-committal.
“Not sure yet on that one,” Campbell said. “Not sure how long that’s going to be. I just know in the immediate future, I don’t see it.”
Lions have several options at cornerback the Lions will explore
With Davis and Dorsey out for the foreseeable future, the Lions have an opening spot in the starting lineup up for grabs opposite Terrion Arnold at cornerback. For the second half of the Bills game, it was Kindle Vildor who stepped in, but Campbell ran through various options that he and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have begun to discuss, including potentially moving Brian Branch away from the safety position.
“Certainly E-man (Emmanuel Moseley) is somebody that we have on the roster,” Campbell said. “We’ve already got Vildor, who helped us out finishing that game. You’ve still got TA (Arnold). And you’re right, (Brian) Branch, he’s somebody we’ve got to talk about. What do we do with Branch? Do we keep him where he’s at? Do we move him? We’ve got Amik (Robertson). Does Amik stay inside? Does he go outside?”
Another potential option to help in the secondary is...
Ifeatu Melifonwu will start his practice clock this week
Campbell revealed that Melifonwu will return to practice this week after a second stint on injured reserve. Melifonwu has missed the entire season with an ankle and finger injury, so Campbell isn’t sure if Melifonwu will be immediately available yet. However, when he’s good to return, he could be part of the solution in the secondary.
“We’re going to need to practice a little bit to see where some of these guys who haven’t practiced in a while are at,” Campbell said.
One more option at cornerback is off the table for at least another week:
Ennis Rakestraw is close, but won’t return from IR this week
Campbell indicated that they won’t start Rakestraw’s practice window clock this week, but it sounds like he’s getting close to ready.
“I don’t see him being ready, not yet,” Campbell said. “He’s close, but not yet.”
Rakestraw is eligible to come off injured reserve whenever he’s ready after suffering a hamstring injury. The Lions rookie has only played in 46 defensive snaps this year, so even if he’s healthy, he’ll likely have to get a significant amount of practice in before Detroit trusts him with a starting role.
A minor bit of good news
Dave Birkett pointed out that starting left guard Graham Glasgow was seen heading for the x-ray room after Sunday’s game. Campbell said that Glasgow is okay.
“He’s a little sore, but he came out okay,” Campbell said.
Glasgow did not miss a snap in the game.