News of David Montgomery’s groin injury during Wednesday’s practice was a gut-punch. So much so, we dove into external options who could be sensible fits in his absence. However, the injury’s severity might not be as severe as once believed.
Montgomery’s groin injury is expected to keep him out of action for 2-4 weeks.
#Bears starting RB David Montgomery, who went down in practice yesterday with a groin injury, is expected to be out 2-4 weeks, source said. That gives him a chance of being out on the field for the opener vs. the #Lions.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2020
With that time frame as a guide, there remains a slight possibility that Montgomery could suit up for Week 1 against the Lions. That’s a far more optimistic appraisal of the situation than I would have expected, but the Bears will certainly take that bit of good news.
There are 18 days between now and the Bears’ season-opener, which puts Montgomery’s recovery process right in the middle of that 2-4 week stretch. And while there exists a possibility the Bears could have Montgomery available for Week 1, I can’t shake the feeling that pushing him to be ready for that game is risky. Some groin injuries can take six weeks to heal. That would push Montgomery’s return back to Week 3.
In any case, the Bears would be wise to put in calls to available running backs for depth purposes, since there is still a chance Montgomery won’t be ready to take the field in the opener.