Lions Gifted Perfect RB After David Montgomery Injury

Decimated doesn't even begin to describe what injuries have done to the Detroit Lions this season. Currently, the Lions have 17 players on injury reserve, eight of which are starters or part of the rotation.

Running back David Montgomery was one of three players the Lions added to injured reserve on Monday after he sustained an MCL injury against the Buffalo Bills. Montgomery's loss is a significant blow to what has become the best running back duo in the NFL. Nevertheless, the Lions will have to figure out the best way to replace Montgomery going into the playoffs.

Fortunately, a new running back option has become available on the free agent market. According to Adam Schefter, the Chiefs and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire have parted ways.

Lions Could Add Clyde Edwards-Helaire to Roster After David Montgomery Injury

Edwards-Helaire was selected 32nd overall in the 2020 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. In five seasons with the Chiefs, Edwards-Helaire had 441 carries for 1,845 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also recorded 89 receptions for 765 yards and seven touchdowns.

While Edwards-Helaire's stats aren't elite, they are at least decent. That said, over the past two seasons, Edwards-Helaire has been getting phased out of the Chiefs offense. In 2023, Edwards-Helaire saw a 22% snap share, and it was the least productive year of his career.

This season, Edwards-Helaire did not see the field at all with the Chiefs after starting the season on the non-football illness (NFI) list. They even went as far as signing Kareem Hunt off the street to start over him. Even though he has yet to make his season debut, he still has plenty to offer any NFL team.

The 25-year-old's main asset is his shiftiness. So Edwards-Helaire isn't exactly a one-for-one replacement for Montgomery. Yet, pairing Gibbs and Edwards-Helaire could end up being deadly.

If the Lions opted to not sign Edwards-Helaire, Craig Reynolds will take over as the number two running back. Reynolds had stepped in before for Montgomery and played well, but he might not be the correct complement for Gibbs in the playoffs.

It will definitely be interesting to see what Dan Campbell and the Lions choose to do at running back after the news.

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