David Montgomery injury update: Detroit Lions RB returns from leg issue vs. Vikings

The Detroit Lions might have averted a blow to their high-powered backfield.

David Montgomery stayed down on the field late in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings , after getting hit at the line by a group of Vikings' defenders at the line of scrimmage. He appeared to have a player land on the bottom half of his leg as he hit the ground.

Montgomery slowly limped off the field with the help of trainers, favoring his left leg after a stoppage, before the Lions punted after a false start on fourth-and-1 and down 10-0.

The Lions announced Montgomery was questionable to return with a knee injury , and he was seen on the sideline riding the stationary bike.

Montgomery returned to the game a few possessions later, and was blocking for Jared Goff on a touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to give the Lions a 14-10 lead in the second quarter.

"While Jahmyr Gibbs was running for pay dirt on that last Lions' touchdown, David Montgomery, he was giving the thumbs up to his trainers," Fox sideline reporter Pam Oliver said on the broadcast.

Montgomery on Oct. 12 signed a two-year contract extension with the Lions.

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Montgomery has been the team's leading rusher with 351 yards on 75 carries and six touchdowns through the first five games. Jahmyr Gibbs, who is just behind him with 348 yards, will likely get the bulk of the backfield work with Montgomery out, with Craig Reynolds and rookie fourth-round pick Sione Vaki also on the active roster.

With Montgomery sidelined, Gibbs found space around the right side early in the second quarter and scored on a 45-yard burst (follow live updates) to cut the deficit to 10-7.

The Lions have not been able to escape the injury bug for their best players.

Last Sunday, they lost Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg , after already being down edge rushers Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes with season-ending injuries.

On the offensive line, Kevin Zeitler missed the Vikings game with a hip injury . His backup, Kayode Awosika, was flagged three times already in the first quarter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: David Montgomery injury update: Detroit Lions RB returns from leg issue vs. Vikings