Sports
Lions Gear Up for NFC Divisional Playoff Amid Key Player Returns
DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Lions are set to host the NFC divisional playoff game at Ford Field this Saturday, with key players returning to the lineup despite a season marred by injuries. The team, which has more than a dozen players on injured reserve, will see the return of co-starting running back David Montgomery, who missed the final three games of the regular season with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
Montgomery, initially feared to be out for the season, will play through his injury, providing a significant boost to the Lions’ offense. “It’s great to see David back because he is a tone-setter for the Lions’ run game,” said Tim Twentyman, senior writer for the Detroit Free Press. “He gives Detroit a physical presence and a boost between the tackles and in short-yardage situations.”
Meanwhile, right guard Kevin Zeitler remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and defensive lineman Pat O'Connor is out with a calf injury. Rookie Christian Mahogany, a sixth-round pick out of Boston College, is expected to step in for Zeitler. Mahogany started one game in December at left guard and has shown promise with his aggressive play style.
The Lions’ defense will also be without reserve linebacker Jordan Magee, but the team is optimistic about the return of cornerback Terrion Arnold, who participated fully in practice this week. “I expect the Lions to play Arnold and Amik Robertson outside with in the slot in nickel situations,” Twentyman noted.
As the Lions prepare to face a mobile quarterback, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn emphasized the importance of discipline on the edge. “The edge players have to be really disciplined in a game like this,” Glenn said. “They can’t rush too far up the field or past the quarterback to open those lanes to get wide.”
With the Lions holding the No. 1 seed and playing at home, the pressure is on to perform. Head coach Dan Campbell remains confident in his team’s ability to handle the moment. “I know who we are, I know what we’re about, I know how we have to prepare,” Campbell said. “We’re the one seed, we earned the one seed, we’ve got a good opponent coming in and we’re going to be ready to play.”
As the Lions gear up for what promises to be a thrilling playoff game, fans can expect a hard-fought battle with key players stepping up to make an impact. Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage throughout the playoffs and all year long at the Detroit Free Press.