The Detroit Lions roster continues to get thinner.
Starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill suffered a season-ending torn ACL, running back David Montgomery injured his MCL and will have season-ending surgery and starting cornerback Carlton Davis fractured his jaw and is out at least six weeks, per multiple reports.
Montgomery is in his second season with Detroit after spending his first four in Chicago. The 27-year-old has thrived in his split duties with Jahmyr Gibbs, with the two sharing nearly identical rushing attempts (185-186) and touchdowns (12-11).
The five-foot-11, 230-pound back has 775 yards rushing this season, but he ran for only four yards on five carries Sunday. "Were going to miss him," said head coach Dan Campbell.
McNeill has quickly blossomed into one of the game's premier interior defenders. The 24-year-old signed a four-year, $96-million contract extension in October.
The 2021 third-round pick out of NC State has started all but four regular season games for Detroit since being drafted, recording 11.5 sacks. In 14 games this year, he has 3.5 sacks.
Davis was acquired this past off-season in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be the team's No. 1 cornerback alongside rookie Terrion Arnold. The 27-year-old has two interceptions on the year, and is slated to be a free agent after this season.
While he is out for the remainder of the regular season, Davis does have a chance to return if the Lions make a deep playoff run. The NFC Championship is six weeks away, giving the former second-round selection a chance to return if Detroit were to make a deep playoff run.
Detroit also lost defensive back Khalil Dorsey during Sunday's 48-42 loss to Buffalo. He suffered a fractured leg after colliding with a teammate.
McNeill, Dorsey and Davis join a long list of defensive players injured reserve for the Lions. Starting edge rushers Marcus Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson, linebackers Derrick Barnes, Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez and Jalen Reeves-Maybin and corner Ennis Rakestraw have all been placed on IR since the start of the year.
Heading into Monday night, the Lions sit in first place in the vaunted NFC North at 12-2. They face the Chicago Bears in Week 16.
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