Detroit Lions' David Montgomery dealing with multiple rib injuries, trying to 'get right'
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery said next week's bye should help him recover from the rib injury that likely will force him to miss his second straight game Monday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"We just trying to take it one day at a time," Montgomery told the Free Press on Thursday. "We really don’t know right now, but right now we’re just trying to make sure I get back as healthy as I can. The bye week helps a lot, just have a little bit of time, but other than that, we get right."
Montgomery, who leads the Lions with 385 yards rushing and six touchdowns, has not practiced since injuring his ribs in the Lions' Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Montgomery said he is dealing with multiple issues with his ribs, including bruised ribs. Lions coach Dan Campbell previously referred to the injury as a rib cartilage injury.
On Thursday, Montgomery worked on the side at practice as part of the Lions' rehab group along with linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle), center Frank Ragnow (toe/calf) and defensive tackle Benito Jones (ankle).
Left guard Jonah Jackson (ankle) also did not practice, while Jerry Jacobs was a full participant after missing last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a knee injury.
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Told he looked like he was grimacing and fighting through pain during his workout, Montgomery said, "No, that’s just my natural face."
"I have that when I'm running the ball. You just don’t see me cause I have my visor on," he said, adding, "I'm all gravy."
Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs had 11 carries for 68 yards and a career-high nine catches against the Ravens while shouldering most of the load in the backfield.
"He’ll get another big workload this week I would imagine with David still out," Lions quarterback Jared Goff said.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions RB David Montgomery dealing with multiple rib injuries
