The Detroit Lions really have a solid one-two punch at running back with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Both are key when Lions quarterback Jared Goff wants to get the Lions offense up and running.
On Monday night at Ford Field, Gibbs was quite active in the Lions offense but Montgomery has been rather quiet. It’s led some people to wonder about Montgomery’s health.
What’s Wrong With Lions RB David Montgomery?
As the Lions game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was underway in the third quarter, it did not seem that Montgomery was injured at all.
Montgomery, with the game in the second half, only had seven carries for 12 yards. By comparison, Gibbs had 15 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Entering into Monday night’s game, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Lions great Barry Sanders spoke highly of both Gibbs and Montgomery. Sanders spoke with ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge before kickoff.
Lions’ Hall of Famer Barry Sanders says Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are the “best one-two punch in the business.” 😤 pic.twitter.com/4JoNIDRO0i
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 20, 2025
When the game goes into the fourth quarter with the Lions up 21-9 as the third quarter ended, it’s possible that Montgomery might get more carries. Gibbs, though, has proven to be more valuable to Detroit so far.
In the PFSN NFL RB Impact metrics, Gibbs has a 76.7 RB Impact Score and grades out with a C. Montgomery has a 75.2 RB Impact Score and also grades out with a C. In the PFSN Offense Impact metrics, the Lions entered the game with an 89.0 Offense Impact Score and graded out at B+.
Montgomery was a third-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. He played four seasons for the Bears before joining the Lions. Entering Monday night’s game, Montgomery had 65 carries for 334 yards and four touchdowns in the 2025 NFL season.
For his career, Montgomery has 1,384 carries for 5,733 career yards and 55 touchdowns. His longest carry in his career was a 59-yarder, done once with the Bears and once with the Lions. Montgomery also has been an effective pass catcher out of the backfield, collecting 216 career catches for 1,776 career receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Montgomery will be looked upon to pick up the pace in the second half for the Lions as they look to secure a victory over the Buccaneers. Gibbs has been electric for Detroit on Monday night, but Goff also knows that Montgomery will be a reliable option if the Buccaneers defense focuses too much on Gibbs.
