Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs for yards before being tackled Detroit during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Montgomery suffered an MCL injury to his right knee in the 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Report: Lions RB David Montgomery (knee) may suit up in playoffs

There’s hope in Detroit that injured Lions running back David Montgomery, who suffered a torn MCL in his right knee on Sunday, could return in the postseason, ESPN reported Thursday.

Montgomery had been ruled out for the season on Monday and slated for surgery, but for now, he won’t be placed on injured reserve following a third medical opinion.

Per the report, the sixth-year running back “might have avoided season-ending surgery” after going down in Sunday’s 48-42 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills.

On Wednesday, Lions coach Dan Campbell wasn’t ready to rule out Montgomery, who leads the team this season with 12 rushing touchdowns.

“It is one of these injuries that’s unique because you need to know is it stable? OK, is it fixed, or will it scar? And then be certainly stable for now and for later, and then you’ve got to rely on him, like, ‘Hey man, I’m good. I can do this,’” Campbell told reporters.

“So, it’s a combination certainly the doctors then him as well, where he thinks he can go with it and can he protect himself and play at a high level. So, we’re in a holding pattern, which as of right now is a positive.”

Montgomery, 27, has rushed for 775 yards in 14 games this season, forming a dynamic duo with Jahmyr Gibbs (1,047 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns).

Taking over for now as Detroit’s workhorse, Gibbs won’t change his outlook or game plan while preparing for Sunday’s game against the rival Bears in Chicago.

“Basically, the same, it’s nothing different,” the 22-year-old second-year running back said. “I’ve been doing this my whole life, so I don’t look at it any differently.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 3, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA;  Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 11

Week 11 of the NFL season got off to an exciting start with the Commanders vs. Eagles game on “Thursday Night Football.”

Bettors have the rest of Week 11 ahead of them, but they don’t have to settle for the traditional betting line if they don’t want to. No, each game comes with a healthy menu of player props.

Bettors can choose from over a thousand player props for the Sunday games. The following is a list of our top 10 player props for NFL Week 11 (in no particular order).

NFL Week 11: Player Props

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Jordan Love, O/U 32.5 passing attempts at -102/-128 (FanDuel)

Opponents have averaged just over 30 attempts per game against the Bears this season and just over 27 in the last three. Why so few? Because foes don’t need to throw on the Bears.

Once teams get out to a sufficient lead, they lean heavily on the run to run time off the clock. That’s what the Patriots did when they beat the Bears last week, as did the Cardinals the week before.

Love has exceeded 32.5 attempts in four of his seven starts this season, including two of his past three. But don’t count on him to do it again, as the Packers will do like everyone else when they play the Bears and lean on the run game. Take the UNDER.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Joe Burrow, O/U 265.5 passing yards at -115/-115 (DraftKings)

Burrow widely is regarded as one of the better passers in the NFL. Anyone who watched him throw for 428 yards last week vs. the Ravens will probably agree with that sentiment. However, there are a couple of things working against Burrow going OVER this total.

For one, the Chargers have a solid pass defense that is allowing just 191.6 yards per game. While Burrow is averaging 267.2 passing yards per game, take away his two ridiculous outings against the Ravens, and his average is 231.5 yards per game. Take the UNDER.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

George Pickens, O/U 68.5 receiving yards at -120/-110

George Pickens, longest reception, O/U 26.5 yards at -135/+100

George Pickens, O/U 4.5 Reception made at -130/+100

George Pickens, 75+ Receiving Yards at +110

*Odds via BetMGM

The Ravens can’t defend against the pass (league-worst 294.9 yards allowed per game). It’s been well-documented and evident whenever they play a competent quarterback. Russell Wilson appears to be one once again, and he has done a great job connecting with George Pickens on deep balls.

In Wilson’s three starts, the veteran quarterback hit Pickens with a long of 44, 43 and 34 yards. No one gives up more 20-plus-yard receptions than the Ravens (47). Wide receivers are averaging nearly 200 yards a game against the Ravens. If Wilson targets Pickens eight times, he will make at least five catches and almost certainly will go OVER 68.5 yards, if not 75+ as well.

Unless the Ravens suddenly figure out how to defend against the pass, Pickens will have a career day. Take the OVER for each prop.

Lamar Jackson, O/U 43.5 rushing yards at -127/-108 (Caesars)

Jackson has gone over this number in seven of 10 games this season but not in his past two. Against the Steelers, he will face one of the best run defenses in the game (No. 4, 87.1 ypg allowed). But they are not just good at stopping running backs. Pittsburgh is quite good at containing running quarterbacks.

The Steelers’ defense is one of the best at keeping quarterbacks from scrambling. Quarterbacks are running on 1.5 percent of dropbacks, the lowest rate in the league.

If Jackson sets his mind to it, he would clear 44 yards against the Steelers D, but they don’t need him to. That’s what they signed Derrick Henry for, so someone other than their quarterback can run for the tough yards. Take the UNDER.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions

Amon-Ra St. Brown, O/U 76.5 receiving yards at -105/-115 (DraftKings)

Jared Goff, O/U 228.5 passing yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel)

Jahmyr Gibbs, O/U 15.5 rushing attempts at +100/-130 (BetMGM)

Bonus: Jahmyr Gibbs, O/U 69.5 rushing yards at -113/-113 (FanDuel)

St. Brown has gone over this total just twice this season, vs. the Buccaneers in Week 2 and the Vikings in Week 7. The Jaguars do not have a defense that can contain him, but don’t count on him to go OVER 76.5 yards. Why not? The Lions will not need him to.

Detroit is a massive favorite in this game. Once the Lions get a comfortable lead, the offense will focus more on running the ball and eating up the clock. That is also why Goff will probably not go over 228.5 yards passing, a number he has gone over once in his past three games.

Take the UNDER for both.

As for Gibbs and his rushing attempts, he has gone over 15.5 carries just twice this season as he is in a committee with David Montgomery. (They both have 122 carries heading into this game). Thus, Gibbs is getting 13.6 attempts per game, so he would need at least two more to hit the OVER.

Assuming the Lions do lean on the run in the second half once the game is in hand, he would get closer to 20 carries and closer to 90-100 yards than 69.5. Take the OVER on both.

–Field Level Media

RB Jahmyr Gibbs runs a drill during the Detroit Lions training camp at the Lions headquarters in Allen Park, Mich. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) ‘trending the right way’

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is on track to play in the season opener as his injured hamstring continues to improve, coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday.

Gibbs, 22, hasn’t practiced since Aug. 12.

Campbell said he expects Gibbs to return to practice next week in preparation for the Sept. 8 opener at home against the Los Angeles Rams.

“He’s trending the right way,” Campbell told reporters. “Wish we had more practice with him, but as far as the health of it, he is healing and he’s on schedule to be back and get his legs back under him and we’ll see where he’s at.”

Gibbs made the Pro Bowl as a 2023 rookie with 1,261 yards from scrimmage. The 12th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama, he ran 182 times for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns while catching 52 passes for 316 yards and another score in 15 games (three starts) last year.

The Lions are set to play their final preseason game Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Campbell’s goal will be to avoid the injuries that have plagued his team this summer.

Campbell was optimistic about the other players who have been hampered by injuries on Tuesday.

He said Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) and starting guard Kevin Zeitler (shoulder) are also on the verge of a return, as are offensive tackle Dan Skipper (ankle) and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (arm).

“We’re about to get a whole group of guys back, hopefully Sunday, and then they’ll get next week’s practice before we get ready for the Rams and then we do Rams practice,” Campbell said.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Eagles’ Jalen Hurts added to Pro Bowl

Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown were added Tuesday to the NFC roster for the upcoming Pro Bowl.

Gibbs is replacing San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, whose team defeated the Lions in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. The 49ers will compete in Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.

St. Brown is taking the place of Philadelphia Eagles injured wideout A.J. Brown, while the Eagles are sending two of their own to the Pro Bowl. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is replacing Niners quarterback Brock Purdy, and cornerback Darius Slay will replace San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward.

Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark and Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham also were added to the NFC roster. They will replace 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, respectively.

Also, Baltimore Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler, New York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and center Ryan Kelly have been added to the AFC roster. Zeitler is replacing Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney and Johnson will take the place of Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack. The Colts duo is replacing Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and center Creed Humphrey, respectively.

Gibbs, 21, had 182 carries for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with 52 catches for 316 yards and a score in 15 games this season. He was selected by the Lions with the 12th overall of the 2023 NFL Draft.

St. Brown, 24, recorded a career-high totals in catches (119), receiving yards (1,515) and touchdowns (10) in 16 games this season.

Hurts, 25, passed for career highs of 3,858 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 17 games (all starts) this season. He also rushed for a career-high 15 scores.

Slay, 33, had 57 tackles and two interceptions in 12 starts this year before having arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-December. This marks Slay’s sixth nomination to the Pro Bowl.

Clark, 28, had 7.5 sacks, 44 tackles and two forced fumbles in 17 games (all starts) this season.

Ham, 30, provides a presence in the backfield that overshadows his statistics. He had one carry for seven yards and seven catches for 25 yards in 17 games (five starts) this season.

Zeitler, 33, will be headed to his first Pro Bowl after starting all 15 games in which he has played this season.

Johnson, 25, recorded 7.5 sacks, 55 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games (all starts) this season.

Buckner, 29, has eight sacks, 81 tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a touchdown in 17 games (16 starts) this season.

Kelly, 30, started all 14 games in which he played this season.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs against Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

Lions thinned at RB, confident ‘someone will step up’

Starter David Montgomery missed practice for the Detroit Lions on Thursday, leaving the team hopeful rookie Jahmyr Gibbs can return from a hamstring injury for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.

Gibbs was limited at Thursday’s practice and did not play in the last two games, including what looks like a costly win over the Buccaneers last week.

Craig Reynolds stepped into a bigger role last week after Montgomery left Detroit’s victory with a rib injury. Campbell said earlier this week Montgomery could be out multiple games.

Reynolds rushed for 15 yards on 10 carries at Tampa Bay but was limited Thursday with toe and hamstring injuries. He did not practice Wednesday.

Gibbs is “trending the right direction,” head coach Dan Campbell said. A first-round pick, Gibbs didn’t play in the Lions’ wins over the Carolina Panthers or Buccaneers.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said the loss of Montgomery is significant for an offense that had identified him as the featured back, but believes the Lions have the depth to hold up.

“He was a bell cow for us,” Johnson said. “But like we’ve had so often already this year in the receiver room and the O-line room, someone will step up and rise to the occasion, there’s no doubt about it.”

The Lions already were without backup running back Zonovan Knight, who was placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum.

–Field Level Media

Lions receiver Jameson Williams celebrates with running back David Montgomery (5) after Montgomery's touchdown against the Panthers during the first half Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at Ford Field.

Lions RB David Montgomery to miss time with rib injury

Lions running back David Montgomery is dealing with a rib injury that will sideline him for an undetermined period of time, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said Monday.

The Lions are still assessing Montgomery’s health picture and options for replacing him while moving ahead into Week 7 with a 5-1 record.

It’s possible Montgomery won’t play until Week 10, which would allow the Lions to rest him through the team’s bye the week prior.

Campbell said first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs could be one such option for this week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Gibbs was inactive the past two weeks with a hamstring injury. He was out for the Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when the Lions lost Montgomery and turned to Craig Reynolds and Devine Ozigbo.

“I feel a lot better about Gibbs this week,” Campbell said Monday, adding he’s “trending the right way” to face the Ravens.

Campbell added that rookie safety Brian Branch (ankle) “looked really good” on Monday and could be active at Baltimore.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Lions fielding trade calls for RB D’Andre Swift

The Detroit Lions began receiving trade calls about D’Andre Swift after drafting fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round on Thursday night, ESPN reported Friday.

The Lions surprisingly selected the Alabama rusher with the No. 12 overall pick, much higher than most projections after just one season with the Crimson Tide.

Swift’s representatives have been in contact with Lions officials about finding a trade partner, per the report.

Swift, 24, was Detroit’s second-round selection (35th overall) in 2020. He has gained 2,878 yards from scrimmage and scored 25 touchdowns in 40 games (16 starts) through his first three seasons.

Last season, Swift finished second on the team with 542 rushing yards behind Jamaal Williams, who signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the New Orleans Saints in March.

Swift has rushed 364 times for 1,680 yards (4.6-yard average) and 18 touchdowns and caught 156 passes for 1,198 yards and seven scores.

Gibbs, 21, rushed for 926 yards and seven touchdowns and added 44 receptions for 444 yards and three TDs in 12 games for Alabama in 2022. He spent the previous two seasons at Georgia Tech.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2018; Homestead Florida, FL, USA; NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs during practice for the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Football Team honors Gibbs, Taylor

Two streets near FedExField are being renamed after Washington Football Team fan favorites Joe Gibbs and Sean Taylor.

The team announced Tuesday that the main street leading to one entrance of FedExField in Landover, Md., is to be deemed Sean Taylor Road, and the mailing address for the team’s facility will now be Coach Gibbs Drive.

“As we look forward and build a modern identity that everyone can be proud of, it’s imperative that we revere tremendous individuals who have had a positive influence on the franchise and our fan base. There are no two people more deserving than Sean Taylor and Joe Gibbs,” said Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder. “The renaming of these streets along with all of the changes being made to our stadium are just part of our long-term goal of improving every element of the Washington Football Team, both off and on the field.”

The Inova Sports Performance Center, in Ashburn, Va., will have the new address of 21300 Coach Gibbs Drive.

“It is an amazing honor to have the organization’s mailing address carry my name,” Gibbs said in a statement. “My time with the team was marked by the strength and courage of our players and assistant coaches, both of whom deserve so much of the credit for the franchise winning three Super Bowl titles.”

The late Taylor was a first-round pick in 2004 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He was murdered at age 24 in 2007.

–Field Level Media