David Montgomery's future: Injury analysis and medical concern level for 2026
Should the Lions or a trade partner feel confident in Montgomery's health?
David Montgomery popped up in a little blurb in a March 1 article at ESPN by Jeremy Fowler.
Here is the excerpt:
There have been ominous signs that Montgomery wanted out, ever since Brad Holmes’ postseason press conference.
For my full press conference analysis from January 8, see below…
It’s uncertain if Fowler is reporting any new information regarding Montgomery, or if this is just old news from earlier in the offseason. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have repeatedly gone out of their way this offseason to say that they really want DMo back.
Montgomery immediately responded on X suggesting that the Fowler report was unfounded.
Holmes and Campbell’s comments this entire offseason clearly suggest that there is a relationship that needs to be mended though.
Regardless of which team Montgomery is playing for next season, let’s review what that team might be getting from a health standpoint.
David Montgomery injury history: Year-by-year breakdown
29 years old entering 2026 season
2025: 17/17 games. No signs of injury.
2024: 15/18 games. Missed 3 games with right MCL. Mild right shoulder injury.
2023: 17/20 games. Missed 1 game with right thigh contusion. Missed 2 games with rib cartilage. Mild right low ankle sprain.
2022: 16/17 games. Missed 1 game with ankle sprain.
2021: 13/17 games. Missed 4 games with knee injury.
2020: 16/17 games. Missed 1 game with concussion.
2019: 16/16 games
Here are videos of his injuries in his past 3 seasons with the Lions in reverse chronological order:
December, 2024 - Right knee MCL
November 2024 - Right shoulder or AC injury
November 2023 - Right low ankle sprain
October 2023 - Rib cartilage
September 2023 - Right thigh contusion or strain
What is the medical concern level for David Montgomery in 2026?
I have a very low medical concern level for Montgomery at 1/10.
The most concerning injury is his MCL sprain in December of 2024 which initially was thought to be severe enough to require surgery. His other injuries over the past few seasons are of minimal concern for residuals.
After further evaluation of the MCL, he did not have surgery and was able to return for the playoff game a month later. But he didn’t quite look fully recovered during that game.
The 2025 season alleviated any concerns with the MCL injury as he bounced back with a fully healthy season looking very quick and athletic.
Here was a video I cut in 2025 training camp where he showed quick cuts off his right leg:
Here is one of Montgomery’s best runs of the 2025 season where he displayed his quickness, burst, and long speed. I saw similar displays of athleticism throughout the entire season.
Contract status and trade considerations
Montgomery is signed through the 2027 season at pretty reasonable salary plus roster bonus numbers - $6 million in 2026 and $8 million in 2027.
Those salary numbers are high enough though to dissuade other teams from giving up much compensation for a 29-year-old player. Thus, a mid-to-late round pick seems about right in a trade.
If a trade happens, the Lions would eat about $4.8 million dead cap but would have about $3.5 million more cap space in 2026.
As @GardMUFC pointed out on X, the benefits of the Lions trading Montgomery includes a bit more money to spend on free agency this offseason.
But trading Montgomery means the Lions are taking the risk that a cheap replacement RB (like a mid-round pick) can replace Montgomery’s production. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, that risk may not be worth the cap savings.
Bottom line
I have very high expectations for David Montgomery’s health and performance in 2026. Based on his healthy 2025 and his low medical concern level (1/10), he remains a highly reliable asset.
Montgomery’s light utilization in 2025 (158 carries for 716 yards) is suspected to be the cause of his unhappiness, but also means he will be fresh heading into the next season.
His age is creeping up, but shouldn’t be a major concern over the next 1-2 years.
The Lions can’t expect to get much value in a trade so it makes sense for the team to try to mend the relationship with Knuckles and have him finish out the final 2 years of his contract.
For Drew Petzing’s thoughts on managing the injury risk of Montgomery and Gibbs…