David Montgomery exits Detroit Lions game with rib injury, ruled out

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery left the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter with a rib injury and will not return.

Montgomery was tackled hard Sunday and landed on by two defenders after taking a screen pass 19 yards to begin a drive at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Montgomery laid on the field for a few minutes before he walked off under his own power with trainers.

Montgomery refused to be carted to the locker room and continued to walk with trainers. He remained there until halftime. Fox sideline journalist Pam Oliver reported the X-rays Montgomery received came back negative, confirming no broken ribs.

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Montgomery came into the day as the featured running back in the offense because of a hamstring injury to rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. He had 14 rushing yards in addition to the catch he was injured on before exiting.

Craig Reynolds took over the backfield after the injury. Reynolds made an immediate impact with a big block to open up a path for a touchdown for Amon-Ra St. Brown that gave the Lions a 10-3 lead on the same drive Montgomery left. Devine Ozigbo, who was elevated from the practice squad this week, is the backup to Reynolds.

Montgomery, 26, had 371 yards rushing and six touchdowns in four games prior to the Bucs game in his first season in Detroit after signing as a free agent. He missed Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons with a thigh bruise.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions rule out David Montgomery with rib injury