Tag: Scottie Montgomery

Lions running back duo could each top 1,000 rushing yards for season against Vikings

ALLEN PARK — Getting the win on Sunday against the Vikings is the main goal, really the only goal that really matters for coach Dan Campbell and the Lions.

Along the way, however, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs could each reach the 1,000-yard rushing milestone for the season. They would become just the sixth pair to do so in NFL history.

“It would mean a lot for me and D-Mo and the rest of the offense, it shows dedication to the work we’ve put in throughout this whole season. It would be special for the program,’’ Gibbs said.

Montgomery is 25 yards shy while Gibbs needs 85 against the Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday. That should be an easy day for the backs who have sparked the Lions’ offense this season.

“First, obviously we want to win by any means. If we don’t get it and we win it, we’ll live with it. If we get it and win it’d be a bonus, it would mean a lot to us,’’ Gibbs said.

He and Montgomery figured out a few weeks ago that they could each reach the 1,000-yard milestone.

“I do think it’s fantastic they’re approached that point,’’ Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said on Wednesday. “But I’d be remiss if I said if we didn’t have the O-line that we have, if we didn’t have the tight ends that we have. If you look at our receivers in the force blocking game on the perimeter, which can be complicated, they give our guys an exceptional chance to get to the next level.’’

Coach Montgomery said the 1,000 yard marks could be special, but he won’t be giving out touches based on yardage during the game. “Everything is secondary to the team,’’ he said.

Gibbs ranks second in the NFL behind Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson (948 yards), for most rushing yards among rookies this season. 

Gibbs, a first-round pick, has had an instant impact. He said it took until about Week 5 where he felt more comfortable on the field.

“I think the easiest thing to judge is physical talent. Probably the hardest thing to judge is mental capacity and level of professionalism,’’ Scottie Montgomery said. “Those two things, he knocks it out of the park. …’’

Gibbs leads the NFL in most 20-plus yard rushes this season with 10. San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey has nine.

The rookie also ranks third in rushing average with 5.41 per game. Lamar Jackson averages 5.55 and Justin Fields 5.43.

Montgomery, who was signed as a free agent, ranks seventh in the NFL with the most rushing yards and third with most rushing yards per game, averaging 75.0. He’s also tied for fourth with 3 100-yard rushing games.

He ranks third in Lions history for most rushing touchdowns per season with a dozen. He’s in good company —  Barry Sanders had 14 and Billy Sims 13.

Already Montgomery and Gibbs have each topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage which makes them the fourth set of running backs in team history to each surpass 1,000 scrimmage yards in the same season. They also became the first set of players to each have at least eight rushing touchdowns in the same season for Detroit. 

MOVES: Veteran defensive linemen Isaiah Buggs and Bruce Irvin have been released to make room on the roster. Campbell said for Buggs it was best for the team and for him. Irvin joined the Lions late and played in just three games. “That was tough, what a blessing to have him around,’’ Campbell said. “… He’s an absolute stud.”

INJURIES: WR Jameson Williams (ankle), LT Taylor Decker (groin) and TE Brock Wright (hip) did not practice on Wednesday; LB James Houston (ankle), TE Sam LaPorta (ankle) and DT Alim McNeill had limited practice.

UP NEXT: Vikings at Lions, 1 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field on FOX.

Lions RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery a perfect blend, like peanut butter and jelly

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs go together like peanut butter and jelly.

“Some people like peanut butter, some like jelly, but a lot of people like them put together. That’s where we are with both of them,’’ Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said on Wednesday.

“That’s kind of where we are, I’m really happy with the development. It’s the kind of vision that (GM) Brad (Holmes) and Dan (Campbell) had. They’re doing a good job,’’ he added.

David Montgomery was signed as a free agent while Gibbs was drafted in the first round (a pick many skeptics did not like). Together the two have given the Lions a running game like they have not had in years. Many years.

And, the hope is that they’re just getting started with six games left in the regular season — including Sunday’s contest at the New Orleans Saints.

“This League is tough on backs, you get hit quite a bit. Part of the plan was when we got to December how fresh, how fast, how strong, how physical, could we continue to be,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

When David Montgomery missed a pair of games in October due to injury, Gibbs made the most of his increased opportunities and has also become a better blocker.

Both have been healthy since the bye week and able to contribute in each game. The goal is not to split their touches 50-50 but to find the perfect blend each week.

“What Ben has done, he’s done a really really good job of making sure that they’re both really involved,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

David Montgomery has 133 carries for 648 yards, 4.9 yards per carry and nine touchdowns, along with eight catches for 88 yards.

Gibbs has rushed 109 times for 566 yards, 5.2 per carry and 5 touchdowns, along with 41 receptions for 278 yards. In the first few weeks, he was slowly given more work and then proved he was capable.

“They’re both dangerous, they’re both really good backs. Hard-pressed to find a better duo in the League right now,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “Those guys are doing a helluva job, it’s fun to have them behind me and when I do have to check the ball down, being able to get it in their hands is a lot of fun too.’’

MOVES: The practice window for QB Hendon Hooker was opened when he participated in Wednesday’s practice. Hooker, a 2023 third-round draft pick, was coming off ACL surgery when drafted. Until now he’s been around the team, but has not been allowed to practice. … WR Tom Kennedy was signed to the practice squad, while WR Dylan Drummond was released.

WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT: LB Alex Anzalone (hand) no practice; LG Jonah Jackson (ankle/wrist), RB David Montgomery (foot) and S Tracy Walker (shoulder) had limited practice.