Lions’ options to replace David Montgomery via other teams’ practice squads

With David Montgomery done for the foreseeable future, here are three other running backs for the Lions to consider.

With recent news that they will be without star running back David Montgomery for the foreseeable future, the Detroit Lions will need to explore other options at that position.

While the Lions still have second-year standout Jahmyr Gibbs and a reliable backup in Craig Reynolds, they still will need to sign another running back to round out their depth. They will not be able to replace Montgomery’s talent by any means, but there are players out there that can replicate his playing style and his fit on offense.

The best way to go about this for Detroit this late in the season is to sign a player off of another team’s practice squad. They are no stranger to this process, as they have done this with players like Isaiah Thomas, Myles Adams, Kwon Alexander, and Jonah Williams already this season.

Here are running backs on other teams’ practice squads that Detroit’s front office should be looking closely at in the next few days to fill Montgomery’s role:

Dalvin Cook, Dallas Cowboys

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A four-time Pro Bowler, Cook has spent the 2024 season on Dallas’s practice squad. So far, he has been elevated to the active roster twice and has rushed just eight times for 20 yards.

While that production isn’t ideal, it wasn’t too long ago that the former Florida State Seminole had four straight seasons of over 1,100 rushing yards. The biggest red flag at the moment is the combination of his age and his injury history. At 29 years old, Cook has suffered a torn ACL, a shoulder injury, a groin injury, a hamstring injury, and a torn labrum — causing him to miss 27 games over eight seasons.

At the moment, however, he is healthy and ready to contribute. At 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, he is slightly smaller than Montgomery, but his playing style and athletic profile is similar. Detroit has utilized Montgomery and Gibbs as a tandem where both can be used interchangeably as either the “downhill” player or the “receiving” back, with Montgomery still getting more reps as the former.

Cook is also capable of both roles. In his time with Minnesota, he was the featured back (which may explain the long list of injuries) and was used primarily in the run game. Montgomery was not considered much of a receiving option before joining the Lions but has developed his skillset nicely over the past two seasons. Cook is a much more talented receiver overall and could contribute in the same ways.

Royce Freeman, Chicago Bears

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Back in 2018, Freeman was a third-round pick and starting running back for Denver. He has found himself as a part of three different teams so far in 2024. His preseason was spent with the Cowboys. After being released, he joined on with Cleveland’s practice squad and later joined Chicago’s.

Freeman hasn’t seen the field yet this season, but the veteran could still be someone who the Lions kick the tires on as they search for running back depth. His role would be almost strictly on the ground. In six seasons, he has averaged less than 100 receiving yards per year. He would be a true complement to Gibbs as a short-yardage and “power” running back option.

His play style relies greatly on his size and strength. He stands tall at 6 feet even and a hefty 238 pounds, bigger than any other back on Detroit’s roster currently. Even with the size, he is surprisingly fast with a 4.54 40 time. The concern in Freeman’s case is his readiness to play. While it’s not like he has been a free agent for the majority of the season, his lack of game experience could be an issue if Detroit chooses to go with him over a player like Cook.

Zonovan Knight, New York Jets

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The Lions might be inclined to bring in a more familiar face instead. Knight was with Detroit for the 2023 season and the 2024 preseason where he competed with Reynolds for a backup role. Knight appeared in two regular season games for Detroit in 2023 with minimal production but made quite the push for a depth spot the following year. He didn’t end up making the final roster and found his way to the Jets’ practice squad.

Knight is another player who compares well to Montgomery athletically, but he can bring more to the table for the Lions. He is faster and more agile than the veteran—part of the benefit of being four years younger than Montgomery. Knight is a true between-the-tackles kind of runner. He isn’t the type of running back who will bust out huge plays consistently, but is who Dan Campbell could rely on in short-yardage situations.

Another benefit of adding Knight over these other running backs is his special teams experience. In his time with the Lions he was used sparingly as a kick returner. Between preseason and regular-season reps, he had the opportunity to take two kicks for 45 yards. He was a much more proficient return man in college, however. With Khalil Dorsey out for the rest of the season, Knight would be able to fill in for that role as well.

Knight has yet to be elevated by the Jets this season.