Coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Montgomery (undisclosed) won't practice but isn't dealing with anything serious, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Montgomery departed from OTAs last week due to an undisclosed injury, and while a timetable for his return remains uncertain it doesn't look like the Lions are overly concerned. Heading into his age-26 season, Montgomery looks poised to handle a key role as a rusher for Detroit, though rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs should also see a fair share of carries while potentially commanding most of the backfield receiving work.
Jun 1, 2023 8:36 AM EST
Montgomery left Thursday's practice early due to injury, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Analysis: Montgomery walked off the field and back to the locker room during Detroit's first open practice of the spring. There's no contact work at this point, so it's likely a muscular injury for Montgomery, who played 60 of a possible 66 games in four seasons with the Bears while topping 200 carries each year. He could see similar rushing workloads in Detroit, but it'll be tougher to get involved as a pass catcher after the Lions used the 12th overall pick on Jahmyr Gibbs, a 199-pound RB with 4.36 speed coming off three straight seasons at Alabama with at 303 receiving yards and multiple scores. Behind the obvious top two, Detroit's backfield holds Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson, 2022 UDFA Greg Bell and 2023 UDFA Mohamed Ibrahim.
May 25, 2023 11:39 AM EST
Montgomery has new competition in the backfield after Detroit drafted RB Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall Thursday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Birkett, along with many others, expects D'Andre Swift to be the odd man out in the Detroit backfield, given that Swift has one year remaining on his contract and has struggled to stay healthy throughout his pro career. Montgomery joined the Lions in March on a three-year, $18 million contract with $8.75 million guaranteed at signing, including his $1.25 base salary for 2023 and $3 million of his $5.25 million salary for 2024. He thus figures to be under contract for at least two years, and while Detroit's backfield looks crowded at the moment, Montgomery could end up with a workload split around 50/50 as the thunder to Gibbs' lightning if/when the Lions move on from Swift. To that end, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Friday morning that the Lions are already receiving trade calls for Swift.
Apr 28, 2023 10:49 AM EST
Montgomery rushed seven times for 21 yards in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 201 carries for 801 yards and two touchdowns along with 34 receptions, 316 yards and another score over 16 games played.
Analysis: In each of his four seasons, Montgomery has produced at least 1,074 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. Over his career, he's rushed for less than four yards per carry, but he's handled at least 200 carries each season while missing just five games. He's also been solid as a receiver, having posted at least 301 yards in three straight seasons. Although he maintained his hold on the lead role in the backfield, Khalil Herbert cut into his workload and often appeared to be the more explosive runner. It's possible that Chicago lets Herbert take on the lead role in 2023 with Montgomery now an unrestricted free agent.
Jan 8, 2023 1:19 PM EST
Montgomery rushed five tomes for 24 yards and caught two passes for 12 yards in the Bears' 41-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Analysis: Other than Justin Fields as a rusher, the Lions completely stymied the Bears offense, which included Montgomery. With Chicago struggling to convert many first downs once the first quarter was over, there was little opportunity for him to accumulate volume. He'll hope to end the year on a high note at home against the Vikings in Week 18.
Jan 1, 2023 1:08 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 16 times for 62 yards and caught four passes for 22 yards in the Bears' 35-13 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
Analysis: Montgomery had a touchdown called back on a holding penalty, which kept him from an even better performance. Even though Khalil Herbert returned to action after being on injured reserve, Montgomery has 16 carries to six for Herbert, as Montgomery still appears to have a handle on the lead role. He'll have a favorable matchup against a Lions defense that just gave up over 300 rushing yards to the Panthers last week.
Dec 24, 2022 2:51 PM EST
Montgomery could face more competition for snaps out of the backfield Saturday against Buffalo with Chicago activating Khalil Herbert (hip) from injured reserve Friday, Larry Meyer of the Bears' official site reports. "The way guys can naturally bounce off of him I think is really cool," offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said of Herbert earlier this week. "What's nice, too, is it's a different type of back. I think there's a value in that, in having two different types of style runners like we're able to have here with [Montgomery] and him. I think that's really cool, too."
Analysis: While Herbert was sidelined for the past four games, Montgomery averaged 14.3 carries and four targets per contest, with both figures being marginally ahead of his season-long averages (13.2 carries, 2.5 targets). Herbert shouldn't be much of a threat to poach work from Montgomery on passing downs, but he'll likely earn more carries than the five per game that Darrynton Evans and Trestan Ebner combined for over the past four weeks. Even if the arrival of Herbert results in Montgomery forking over more snaps, there's a decent chance that both backs push for double-double digit touches against the Bills. Saturday's forecast in Chicago calls for sustained winds around 20 to 25 miles per hour as well as temperatures around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, which could prompt both teams to largely eschew intermediate and deep passes and favor the ground game more heavily.
Dec 23, 2022 12:35 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 12 times for 53 yards and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for 38 yards and another touchdown in Sunday's 25-20 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Montgomery scampered into the end zone from nine yards out in the second quarter to give the Bears a surprising 6-3 lead. He found the end zone again on a 10-yard catch in the third. Quarterback Justin Fields led the Bears with 95 rushing yards, but Montgomery was just one catch and one receiving yard short of Cole Kmet's and Byron Pringle's respective team-high totals. With Khalil Herbert (hip) potentially eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 16 against the Bills, Montgomery could be back in a timeshare after occupying the lead back role for the duration of Herbert's absence.
Dec 18, 2022 1:49 PM EST
Montgomery (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Analysis: Montgomery and QB Justin Fields each missed only one practice with what seem to have been minor illnesses. They'll lead the Chicago rushing attack this Sunday against the NFC-leading Eagles, while the passing game appears more toothless than ever with Chase Claypool (knee) ruled out.
Dec 16, 2022 11:50 AM EST
Montgomery didn't practice Thursday due to an illness.
Analysis: While Montgomery's mid-week addition to the injury report isn't ideal, he'll still be in good shape to play Sunday against the Eagles if he can practice in some capacity Friday. The Bears haven't revealed the nature of his illness or its severity.
Dec 15, 2022 12:53 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 14 times for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-19 loss to the Packers. He also caught four of five targets for six yards.
Analysis: Montgomery scored from seven yards in the second quarter to give him a fourth rushing touchdown on the campaign. While quarterback Justin Fields outgained him with 71 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown run, Montgomery turned in a solid performance as Chicago's lead tailback. He'll now gain some rest over the Bears' bye week prior to returning in Week 15 to face a tough Eagles defense.
Dec 4, 2022 1:31 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 14 times for 79 yards and caught three of four targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Jets.
Analysis: Montgomery helped set up a field goal on the opening drive with a 26-yard catch and run. That was his biggest play on this slick Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, but Montgomery churned out hard yards throughout to keep a Bears offense playing without Justin Fields (shoulder) in manageable third downs. Regardless of Fields' status for Week 13 against the Packers, Montgomery will be in line for plenty of touches.
Nov 27, 2022 3:08 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 17 times for 67 yards and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Falcons.
Analysis: With Khalil Herbert (hip) on injured reserve, Montgomery operated as the workhorse in Chicago's backfield, though quarterback Justin Fields led the team in both rushing attempts (18) and rushing yards (85). Fields ran in a four-yard touchdown in the second quarter, but Montgomery scored one of his own from two yards out in the fourth to tie the score at 24 with 8:16 to go. Montgomery also led the Bears in receiving yards thanks to a 32-yard catch on the same drive as his rushing touchdown. Fields hurt his shoulder late in the game, and if the mobile quarterback is unavailable or limited as a result of the injury, Montgomery could see even more volume against the Jets in Week 12.
Nov 20, 2022 1:29 PM EST
Montgomery carried the ball nine times for 37 yards and caught his only target for seven yards in Sunday's 31-30 loss to the Lions.
Analysis: With Justin Fields once again running wild, there wasn't a big workload available for Montgomery, and he failed to reach 50 scrimmage yards for the second straight game. Khalil Herbert suffered a hip injury late in the contest after gaining 57 yards on 10 carries, however, so Montgomery could have the running back touches to himself in Week 11 against the Falcons.
Nov 13, 2022 2:48 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 14 times for 36 yards and brought in one of two targets for eight yards in the Bears' 35-32 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
Analysis: Despite having been the subject of trade rumors leading up to Tuesday's deadline, Montgomery ultimately stayed put in the Windy City and ended up pacing the Bears backfield in carries. Montgomery's workload on the ground actually doubled up that of backfield mate Khalil Herbert, and he was the only one of the two to see a target. Chicago's ground-game usage has been difficult to predict game to game, however, so it remains to be seen if the distribution will remain the same in a Week 10 home matchup versus the vulnerable Lions defense.
Nov 6, 2022 4:07 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 15 times for 53 yards and caught three passes for 22 yards In the Bears' 49-29 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Analysis: Montgomery had one fewer carry than Khalil Herbert against Dallas. Since Week 2, Montgomery has not topped 15 carries in a game, and he's lost his grip on the undisputed lead backfield role in the last two games. He's posted between 62 and 80 scrimmage yards during those two games, so he's still demonstrating a solid scoring floor, but he'll need to hang onto at least a near-even split in work to retain his current level of productivity.
Oct 30, 2022 4:59 PM EST
Montgomery rushed the ball 15 times for 62 yards and a touchdown in Monday's 33-14 win over the Patriots.
Analysis: The Bears' backfield came very close to an even split, as Montgomery only out-touched Khalil Herbert 15-13. Montgomery ran fairly effectively, though the majority of his production came early in the fourth quarter on a drive during which he tallied his longest rush of the day -- 12 yards -- and also found the end zone from one yard away. With the performance, Montgomery topped 60 rushing yards in a game for only the second time this season, and he appears to be headed for a split in workload with Herbert moving forward.
Oct 24, 2022 8:54 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 15 times for 67 yards and brought in his only target for 13 yards in the Bears' 12-7 loss to the Commanders on Thursday night. He also recovered a fumble.
Analysis: Montgomery was once again the clear lead back in the Bears' ground attack, although Khalil Herbert actually outgained him with 75 yards -- 64 of those coming on one run. Montgomery's contributions were much steadier, and the third-year back was appreciably more efficient than in his Week 5 return from an ankle injury (12 carries, 20 yards). He'll now have extra time to recover from a busy last four days, as Chicago won't return to action until a Week 7 Monday night road matchup against the Patriots on Oct. 24.
Oct 13, 2022 8:51 PM EST
Montgomery rushed 12 times for 20 yards and a touchdown, and caught all four of his targets for 62 yards in Sunday's 27-22 loss to the Vikings.
Analysis: Montgomery returned from last week's injury absence to score his first touchdown of the campaign with a nine-yard rush during the second quarter. Despite his ankle limiting him during the practice week, Montgomery still led Chicago's backfield, with backup Khalil Herbert garnering just four carries for 11 yards. Furthermore, with help from a long gain of 30 yards, Montgomery paced the Bears through the air, contributing a strong all-around showing after his brief sideline stint.
Oct 9, 2022 1:17 PM EST
Montgomery (ankle) is listed as active Sunday in Minnesota.
Analysis: Since making an early departure Week 3 against the Texans, Montgomery has missed one game and was unable to mix into drills until Thursday of Week 5 prep. He ended this week with back-to-back limited practices, seemingly setting himself up to return, and he indeed will be available Sunday. Montgomery's role is uncertain, though, especially after Khalil Herbert impressed in place of the former over the last seven quarters of play. On the season, Montgomery has reeled off 4.5 YPC on his 35 rushes and notched five catches (on six targets) for 38 yards, but he has yet to reach the end zone.
Oct 9, 2022 8:34 AM EST
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