Lions RB David Montgomery will undergo season-ending knee surgery to repair torn MCL

The hits keep coming for the Detroit Lions.

Running back David Montgomery will undergo season-ending knee surgery, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters Monday. According to multiple reports, Montgomery has been diagnosed with a torn MCL.

Montgomery was evaluated by trainers in the second quarter of Sunday’s 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills. After testing his knee on the sideline, Montgomery decided to return to the game. He finished the game with five carries for four yards.

“David is so tough, man. He kept playing through and then he got it checked out today,” Campbell told reporters Monday. “He’s just the ultimate teammate, the ultimate competitor. We’re going to miss him.”

Montgomery also suffered a knee injury earlier this season, in the first quarter of the Lions’ Week 6 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Although he was initially listed as questionable after being helped off the field, Montgomery returned to the game in the second quarter. It is unclear whether the injury is to the same knee or whether the injuries are related.

It’s been a carnage this year for the 12-2 Lions, who are playing exceptionally well but have been ravaged by injuries.

Most of Detroit’s losses have been on the defensive end, including defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending leg injury. In Sunday’s loss, the Lions lost two cornerbacks in a single half, with Carlton Davis III suffering a season-ending jaw injury and Khalil Dorsey carted off the field with a brutal-looking ankle injury. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill also suffered a season-ending ACL tear Sunday.

Now the team will also have to play without Montgomery, who has been a big part of the offensive production this season. The running back has started all 14 games and has picked up 775 yards and 12 touchdowns on 185 carries.