The Lions improved to 5-1 on the year with a victory yesterday, but the team’s ground game could be significantly shorthanded for at least a brief stretch. Running back David Montgomery‘s rib injury is likely to lead to missed time, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. 
Montgomery was forced to exit the Lions’ Week 6 win, and he was unable to return. X-rays came back negative, and further testing will no doubt be needed to determine a firm return timeline. Dan Campbell said Monday (via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers) the starting back is dealing with a cartilage issue. Any missed game action for Montgomery would be noteworthy, especially given the hamstring issue fellow back Jahmyr Gibbs is battling.
The latter has missed the past two games due to his injury, and the Lions would be well-suited to proceed with caution with the first-round rookie. Going without both Gibbs and Montgomery for any length of time would leave Detroit’s offense without two of its most important contributors, and threaten to unbalance one of the league’s most efficient offenses.
The conclusion of Sunday’s game offered a glimpse of a pass-heavy Lions attack would look like over the course of a full contest, with Craig Reynolds receiving the bulk of RB snaps and plenty being asked of quarterback Jared Goff. The latter set a new season high in pass attempts (44) and yards (353) while leading the team to victory. Detroit sits seventh in passing yards per game, but the strength of the team’s rushing attack has played a central role in their No. 4 rank regarding both scoring and total offense.
The status of both Montgomery and Gibbs will be worth watching closely as the week progresses, and either being able to suit up in Week 7 will be a welcomed development. In the case of the former (who inked a three-year, $18MM deal in free agency), though, it appears that will not be the case.
Leonard Fournette could fill in nicely.