Lions vs. Commanders injury report: David Montgomery returns to practice Tuesday
Jan 14, 2025
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The Detroit Lions released their initial injury report for the Divisional round of the playoffs. The No. 1 seeded Detroit Lions will host the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round of the 2024-25 NFL playoffs, which will be played on Saturday night.
While the Lions received a bye week during the Wild Card round of the playoffs, they did get in a few practices before allowing their players some extra time to rest and recover from a long season. Despite the extra time off, the Lions did not find out that they would be facing the Commanders until late Sunday night, and with the game being on Saturday, it sets up a bit of a shortened week.
Because the Lions have one less day than in a traditional week, their schedule moves up a day, meaning their initial injury report is due on Tuesday instead of the typical Wednesday. With Tuesday traditionally being a player's day off, the Lions elected to hold a walkthrough practice to start the week. That means the participation levels for this opening practice are only estimations based on what the coaching staff projects each player to have been capable of producing, had this been a full practice.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at Tuesday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note that any changes from last week’s report will be bolded.
Injured reserve updates
CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring) — injured reserve, 21-day evaluation clock started
The Lions started Rakestraw’s clock last Thursday during the final practice of their bye week. Rakestraw is expected to be able to return to the active roster soon and provide the Lions secondary with some much-needed depth. Over the break, Lions coach Dan Campbell updated the media on the status of cornerback Carlton Davis and linebacker Derrick Barnes, noting that neither will be recovered in time to return for the playoffs.
No practice
RG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) — Injured in Week 18
DL Pat O’Connor (calf) — Injured in Week 18
CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring/illness) — Injury clock days remaining: 15
Zeitler was injured near the end of the Lions’ Week 18 game against the Vikings, missing the final series of the contest. Last Tuesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell suggested that the news surrounding Zeitler was positive, but stopped short of suggesting he was expecting him to play this week.
While Zeitler is estimated to have missed practice on Tuesday, there’s still a chance he will play in this upcoming matchup with the Commanders. If he is unable to go, rookie Christian Mahogany filled in as a replacement in Week 18 and would be expected to start at right guard against the Commanders.
O’Connor did not get a vote of confidence from Campbell following Week 18, so his absence is not at all surprising. The only real question will be: is his calf injury recoverable or is he likely headed to injured reserve?
Rakestraw returned to practice last week and appears to have missed Tuesday’s walkthrough with an illness (which was added to his designations on this report). It’s possible he returns as soon as tomorrow, or he could miss some time, as illnesses are unpredictable and we have seen both outcomes over the past month.
Limited practice
None
Full practice
RB David Montgomery (knee) — returned to practice
CB Terrion Arnold (foot) — Injured in Week 18
As anticipated, Montgomery returned to practice on Tuesday and is expected to play this Saturday.
“It’ll mean a lot,” Campbell said of Montgomery’s return this week. “(Montgomery)’s a big part of us, he’s a huge part of us, and to me, he’s a bell cow, he’s a tone-setter, he’s a catalyst, so there’s a place for him. There’s a place for him here, so there’ll be a place for him in this game. So, it’s going to be good to get him back.”
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has performed masterfully in Montgomery’s absence, but when the duo run together they’re incredibly difficult to contain.
Arnold exited the field in Week 18 on a trainer’s cart, and was seen in a walking boot following the game, but was in high spirits as the initial medical results were positive. With an estimated full practice to start the week, things are indeed looking up for the Lions' first-round rookie and he’ll have a legitimate chance to start in the playoffs.
No longer listed on the injury report
WR Kalif Raymond (hamstring)
LB Alex Anzalone (forearm)
LB Jack Campbell (rib)
CB Amik Robertson (calf)
The players in this section no longer require a spot on the injury list.
Commanders' initial injury report
Starters are bolded
No practice:
WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring/rest)
TE Zach Ertz (rest)
DE Clelin Ferrell (knee/rest)
OLB Dante Fowler Jr. (rest)
LB Jordan Magee (hamstring)
LB Bobby Wagner (ankle)
Limited:
K Zane Gonzalez (hip)
DT Daron Payne (finger)
TE Ben Sinnott (shoulder)
Full:
TE Colson Yankoff (hamstring, on IR)
TE John Bates (shoulder)
LB Dominique Hampton (back)
LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder)
CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring)