FOX 2 – The Lions’ injury list is well documented with 11 defensive players alone on Injured Reserve – and having a week off from a playoff bye came at a great time.
So it made sense that one of the first questions Coach Dan Campbell fielded right out of the gate Monday was the injury status of the Lions’ walking wounded.
“We didn’t have any injuries over these past three days, so I think we’re okay.” Campbell deadpanned. “I’ll know more tomorrow as where everybody is at, I can’t give you a straight-up answer after three days off. I just know with everybody, treatment has gone well.”
On Saturday at 8 p.m. Detroit faces the Washington Commanders at Ford FIeld in the Divisional Round – which also means the return of running back David Montgomery.
Montgomery will be back the field after missing the last three games of the regular season with a knee injury.
“It’ll mean a lot. Five is a big part of us,” Campbell said, referring to Montgomery by his number. “He’s somebody that, he’s a tone-setter. He’s a catalyst. There’s a place for him here, there’s a place for him in this game.”
The outlook on returning defensive players remains murky with first-round rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold day-to-day with a foot injury. The team does have second-round CB Ennis Rakestraw designated to return from IR on Thursday according to one published report – but his status is unknown for Saturday.
One plus is that it will be the second game back for linebacker Alex Anzalone, who made his return from a broken arm in the Week 18 Vikings season finale.
Campbell said that when it comes to working to contain Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ running ability, Anzalone will play a big role against the run-pass-option (RPO) Washington’s offense uses.
“Alex is always going to help, getting him back. I mean, just having him back the other day paid huge dividends,”he said. “So to get him back … he understands the game well. He studies. He’ll know this offense. He’ll know what they’re trying to do. And he can kind of help everybody out around him.”
Lions coaching staff in demand
The NFL has long taken notice of the Lions success – resulting in a number of interviews for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Campbell was asked if he is getting regular updates on how the interviews went this past week for them.
“Why would I want to know that, you think that I want them to leave?” quipped Campbell.
The coach said he has yet to discuss the interviews with Glenn and Johnson.
“I have an idea of how they’re doing, I have not run in there and asked if they are leaving yet – I didn’t do that,” he said. “At some point I’ll talk to them about what transpired yesterday – until then I’m getting ready for Washington.”
