The Detroit Lions are at a critical juncture in the 2025-26 campaign, with their playoff dreams hanging by a thread and no room for mistakes. As the pressure mounts ahead of a crucial Christmas Day matchup, an unexpected off-field moment has added a layer of intrigue to an already tense situation.
Veteran running back David Montgomery, whose role has been shrinking as the season winds down, sparked speculation this week with a single action on social media. It was a move that couldn’t have come at a worse time for the team.
A Like That Didn’t Go Unnoticed as Stakes Rise in Detroit Lions
Montgomery drew attention after liking a fan’s Instagram comment urging him to request a trade, criticizing the Lions for “glazing” Jahmyr Gibbs and questioning Detroit’s handling of its veteran back. The interaction, while small, immediately resonated given the backdrop of Montgomery’s reduced workload and growing trade chatter around the team.
The timing only added fuel to the fire. According to ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, Montgomery unexpectedly missed Tuesday’s practice with an undisclosed illness. With Detroit set to face the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, the absence raised concerns not only about Montgomery’s availability but also about the stability of an offense that must be flawless to stay alive.
For the Lions to secure a spot in the 2025 playoffs, they need to win their last two games and hope the Green Bay Packers stumble in theirs. Achieving that requires a balanced offense, something Detroit has struggled with as Montgomery’s touches have dwindled.
He hasn’t had more than eight carries in any of the last six games, which is surprising for a player who has been one of the team’s most dependable options in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
How Has David Montgomery Performed This Season?
Despite the challenges, Montgomery’s season remains significant. He has rushed for 649 yards on 140 attempts, averaging 43.3 yards per game, and has found the end zone eight times. Additionally, he’s contributed with 21 receptions for 164 yards.
David Montgomery is ranked 31st in the NFL in PFSN’s RB Impact Score through 15 games, with a 74.8 grade. And the Lions are ranked 8th in offense in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
Now, the illness complicates an already tricky situation. With Thursday’s game coming up fast, there’s hardly any time for recovery, and Detroit can’t afford to be short-handed in the backfield. It’s worth noting that Montgomery is the only Lions running back on the injury report, which makes his status even more crucial.
Interestingly, the matchup seems perfect for a Montgomery comeback. Minnesota’s run defense ranks 24th in the league. With Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy out and rookie Max Brosmer stepping in, Detroit might really focus on the ground game to set the pace if Montgomery is fit to play.
Looking beyond Thursday, there are bigger implications at play. Detroit’s hesitation to rely on Montgomery with the season hanging in the balance has sparked chatter that this could be his last year in a Lions uniform. While the social media buzz didn’t start the rumors, it definitely gave them some life.
For now, Montgomery remains without a game designation, and the Lions maintain hope he’ll be available for kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET on Christmas Day. Whether he returns to the field or not, the final two games may serve as an audition not just for Detroit’s playoff fate, but for Montgomery’s future in Honolulu blue.
