DETROIT – What will the roles for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery look like if both are on the field for the Detroit Lions this weekend against the Los Angeles Chargers?
Montgomery injury update
Montgomery has missed each of the past two games due to a rib injury he suffered during the Lions’ win at Tampa Bay. But now, with the Lions coming off a bye week, head coach Dan Campbell sounds optimistic that Montgomery might be able to return to the field on Sunday.
“Yeah, I think (there’s a chance),” Campbell said. “We’ll see tomorrow when we pad them up, but they’ve (Montgomery, Frank Ragnow, and Jonah Jackson) been trending the right way now for awhile, so certainly hopeful.”
Gibbs with and without Montgomery
So what does that mean for Gibbs?
In three games with both running backs active -- against the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers -- Gibbs has taken a definitive backseat to Montgomery. The rookie averaged 55 total yards on 11.6 touches (runs and catches) in those three games.
When Montgomery is inactive -- against the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders -- Gibbs has flourished, averaging 138 yards per game on 23 touches.
Now, I understand that “the backup running back has better stats when the starter is out” isn’t exactly a groundbreaking discovery. But that’s a very dramatic difference in production, and it’s clear that Gibbs can add elements to the Lions’ game plan that Montgomery cannot.
Montgomery’s production
That’s not to say the Lions should move away from using Montgomery. When healthy, he’s been one of the most important pieces of Detroit’s offense. It’s not just his production -- I mean, that obviously helps -- but Montgomery also allows the Lions to control the clock and squeeze the life out of opponents late in games.
Take out the Buccaneers game -- Montgomery hardly played before heading to the locker room -- and he’s averaging 92.75 rushing yards and 1.5 touchdowns on 22 carries per game this season.
Montgomery is a workhorse, and he fills a role that Campbell and the Lions value greatly.
Plan if both running backs play
So, back to the original question: What happens if Montgomery returns this weekend?
Campbell answered that question Monday, and fans won’t be surprised by his answer.
“I think, certainly, we know what David can do,” Campbell said. “But we know that Gibbs has gotten better every week, so we’re going to ask those guys to do things they do well and that help our offense move the football.”
The next part of his quote is going to be music to the ears of fantasy managers who have Montgomery, and not so much for those who have Gibbs.
“I don’t think, necessarily, sitting here talking to you right now, that I see Gibbs getting 65 plays,” Campbell said. “I don’t see that. But he’s going to get his fair share, now. We know what he can be, and he’s growing.”
Translation: Gibbs returns to a backup role. It’s hard to argue with that decision, because the Lions have been successful leaning on Montgomery and controlling the clock. But Gibbs certainly has to have earned an increased role after racking up 315 total yards the last two weeks.
“I think it’ll be a little bit by committee and make sure we get those guys touches, you know?” Campbell said. “Gibbs will get his touches.”
The Lions have two effective running backs, both with very different strengths. There are only so many snaps in a game, but this is a very good problem to have.
