David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Craig Reynolds Impacting Rankings

A single injury can prove challenging for fantasy football managers, as it can impact a variety of players and result in significant swings in our PFN Consensus Rankings.

So what happens when the Detroit Lions report that none of their top three running backs are at full strength as we prepare to kick off Week 7? Let’s take a look at the latest injury updates for David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Craig Reynolds ahead of the Lions Week 7 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy

David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions

David Montgomery feels like he has just returned from injury, and we might be losing him again. During the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, Montgomery suffered a rib injury, seemingly from landing on the ball. He left the game and did not return, sparking fears for his availability in Week 7.

#Lions RB David Montgomery left the game with an apparent rib injury after landing on the ball at the end of this play.

Montgomery is questionable to return.

pic.twitter.com/0MQij8tOkm

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 15, 2023

Reports surfaced early this week that Detroit’s bell cow would miss “a little bit of time.” Therefore, it was not a huge surprise when he was listed as a projected non-participant on the Lions injury report had they practiced today.

By running back standards, Montgomery was a reasonably durable player through his first four seasons (six missed games), but this is looking like his second missed game in the first two months of this season.

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With their bye coming in Week 9, the veteran back could miss a pair of games in an effort to hit the ground running for the second half of what Detroit hopes is a season that extends deep into the winter.

His status will be one to watch throughout the week in terms of his availability on Sunday.

This analysis was last updated at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

All signs seem to be cautiously optimistic that Detroit’s explosive rookie will be able to take the field this week after missing each of their past two games with a hamstring injury. Being projected as a limited participant on Wednesday should give him a chance to play this week.

He has been a fantasy disappointment when playing alongside Montgomery (yet to earn more than eight carries in any of those three games), but he was handed the rock 17 times in Week 3 when Montgomery was out.

Should he continue to trend up, he’d project to lead this backfield in touches (14-17 range) against the league’s second-best defense in terms of yards per play. He carries slightly more reward than risk and would check in as a low-end RB2 in this situation.

This analysis was last updated at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Craig Reynolds, RB, Detroit Lions

Of the three backs for the Lions, Reynolds was the biggest surprise to see on the injury report. He was listed as a projected non-participant to open the week with hamstring and toe injuries.

Reynolds has been in the league for five years but has just 103 carries to his name. Appearing on an already crowded injury report isn’t a great sign, especially with multiple ailments listed. His status is the most cloudy of these three, but even if he plays, his impact on fantasy will be the opportunities he takes away from Gibbs.

The Lions love Reynolds for his blocking and effort, but that doesn’t always translate into fantasy points. The most consequential element of this for the Lions will likely revolve around the impact it has on Gibbs’ touches against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.

This analysis was last updated at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18.