DETROIT – Dan Campbell gave injury updates on Detroit Lions stars Aidan Hutchinson, David Montgomery, Terrion Arnold, Kevin Zeitler, Carlton Davis, Derrick Barnes, and Pat O’Connor ahead of the playoffs.
David Montgomery, Terrion Arnold, Kevin Zeitler, Pat O’Connor
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Montgomery was injured during the loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. At first, it appeared he would miss the entire postseason, but he sought multiple medical opinions and decided to try to work his way back onto the field.
Arnold and Zeitler both left the field during Sunday’s division-clinching win over the Minnesota Vikings. Arnold was taken to the locker room on a cart, while Zeitler limped off in the waning moments of the victory.
Fortunately for the Lions, that Week 18 win gave them a bye through the wildcard round of the playoffs. They’ll get some much-needed rest this weekend and return to the field for the divisional round on Jan. 18 or 19.
On Tuesday, Campbell spoke for the first time since the end of the regular season and shared some good news on those three players.
“Are you expecting to have Montgomery next week when you play your playoff game?” he was asked.
“I do, I do,” Campbell said.
He was then asked about Arnold, Zeitler, and O’Connor, who also went down against the Vikings.
“We got better news on Zeitler and Arnold,” Campbell said. “I can’t guarantee that they’re playing, but it’s much better than it appeared to be when the injuries happened.
“It’s positive news. O’Connor is not as positive, is the best way to say that, for those three.”
When asked about Carlton Davis and Derrick Barnes, Campbell said he doesn’t expect them to participate in the playoffs no matter how far the Lions advance.
“They’re doing great, (but) I don’t see them coming back at all,” Campbell said. “Those players won’t -- I don’t see them coming back at all.”
He was a little more vague on Aidan Hutchinson’s chance to return if the Lions make it to the Super Bowl.
“Same thing -- look, I’ll say it again: He has a season-ending injury, but if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan, is the best way to say it,” Campbell said.
