After a physically intense contest in Ford Field on Sunday, the Detroit Lions had a few players in the walking wounded category. Head coach Dan Campbell offered some updates on a few of the injured Lions during his press conference on Monday.
RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Vaitai left the game with a left knee injury after getting rolled up from behind while engaged in a run block. It took Vaitai quite a bit to leave the field with assistance from trainers after being down on the turf.
There isn’t anything definitive on the Lions’ starting RG, but it doesn’t sound as bad as it initially looked during the game.
“Big V, you know, could be out for a bit,” Campbell stated. “We’ll know a lot more in the next couple of days here.”
When asked if being placed on injured reserve was an option for Vaitai, Campbell downplayed that option.
“I don’t think so, I don’t think so,” Campbell said. “We’re just going to have to see how it responds.”
Graham Glasgow replaced Vaitai in the lineup.
EDGE James Houston
The news here on Houston, while already widely reported, is still tough to hear.
“He had a (broken) fibula, so he’ll be out a while,” Campbell said of the second-year OLB.
Houston left the stadium in a wheelchair with his right leg already in a boot. He is expected to miss at least six weeks and will be placed on injured reserve.
Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara, who already rotated in the role with Houston, took on increased reps in his absence.
RB David Montgomery
Montgomery left the game after a hit to the leg that followed him writhing out of a tackle. The initial fear was that Montgomery suffered a knee injury, and the visual of him leaving the field on a cart did not breed optimism.
After the game, Montgomery told reporters it was a thigh bruise and that it might “take a couple of weeks” to heal. His head coach was more bullish on an immediate return.
“He’s kind of in the boat of day-to-day,” Campbell offered up on the starting running back.
Craig Reynolds came into the game to handle the interior running, while rookie Jahmyr Gibbs also kept getting reps around the formation.
LT Taylor Decker
Decker missed the Seahawks game after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1. The starting left tackle was able to finish the game against the Chiefs but did not practice at all during the week.
“He’s improving. There again, we’ll know a lot more over the next couple of days,” Campbell stated. “He’s gotten better and better every day. It’s just a matter of — can he get back in time for this one (Week 3 vs. Atlanta)?”
