Dan Campbell talks playoff bye prep, injuries and Aaron Glenn’s defense vs the Vikings

Although the Lions received positive injury news, notably about David Montgomery, other injured starters are anticipated to miss the entire playoffs.

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    Running back David Montgomery is expected back for the Divisional Playoff Round after this week’s bye.
    
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    Among the Lions’ injuries, the news is not good about Carlton Davis who is expected to be out the rest of the season.
    
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    The team received good news on Terrion Arnold and Kevin Zeitler, who may be back in two weeks for the Divisional game.
    

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  Running back David Montgomery is expected back for the Divisional Playoff Round after this week’s bye.
  
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  Among the Lions’ injuries, the news is not good about Carlton Davis who is expected to be out the rest of the season.
  
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  The team received good news on Terrion Arnold and Kevin Zeitler, who may be back in two weeks for the Divisional game.
  

FOX 2.The Lions have the luxury of a week off before the Wildcard Round gets underway, which gives them an opportunity to recuperate after securing the NFC’s top seed, a first-round bye, and home field advantage for the playoffs.

Coach Dan Campbell provided some injury updates Tuesday, one of which was the encouraging news that running back

Injury updates

Three players left because of injuries after the Lions defeated the Vikings 31-9 in the Week 18 finale, which raised some concerns. For two of the three, Campbell added, the news was positive.

While offensive center Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) and rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) are improving, defensive end Pat O’Connor (calf) is not.

“We received considerably better news about Arnold and Zeitler. It’s a lot better than when the injury occurred, but I can’t promise they’re playing,” he said. “O’Connor is not as positive.”

He also mentioned that rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw is making well in his recuperation.

Rake is also heading in the right direction, so I do believe there is a chance we can get him back.

For linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee) and cornerback Carlton Davis (jaw), the news is not favorable. Regardless of how far the Lions advance, both are anticipated to miss the rest of the playoffs.

“They are doing great, I don’t see them coming back at all,” Campbell stated.

For the first time, star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was on the sidelines of Sunday night’s game. With a chance to play in the Super Bowl if the Lions are still in the game, Hutchinson has been frantically rehabilitating from a fractured leg sustained in Week 7.

I’ll tell it one more. “That’s the best way to put it: if anyone can recover from this, it would be Aidan,” he added, referring to his season-ending injury.

Getting defensive

In the Week 18 victory over the Vikings, Campbell commended the defense’s effort, saying it was possibly the greatest of the season.

Campbell stated that there is no reason why defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn shouldn’t be among the league’s top head coaching candidates. Glenn is also deserving of a lot of praise.

“Look, if nobody wants him, I’ll take him again,” he replied. In addition to being an excellent coach, Aaron Glenn is an even better person. It’s absurd to consider going through another cycle while he’s not a head coach. He’s a wonderful coach, so even if I don’t want to lose him, I support him.

Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator, has also received a lot of attention and has been mentioned as a potential head coach.

Both should have their fair share of interview opportunities because of the bye week, which should free them up without affecting their preparation for the game because it is not game week, Campbell said.

Playoff bye plans

Because of the opponent’s uncertainties, Campbell stated that one of the plans is to take a break and recharge. On January 18 or 19, the Divisional Playoff game will be played against the team with the lowest remaining seed, either the Rams, Vikings, Commanders, or Packers.

“I’ve been a part of it as a player and a coach,” he stated. You begin legwork on another opponent because you don’t sure who you’re playing against, only to discover it’s not them.

“I don’t want to harm the coaches in that way. This weekend, I want to give them three days off so they can rest, recharge, and get some sleep. The idea of working against someone you might not even play against bothers me.

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