The Detroit Lions bolstered their backfield in 2023, signing free agent David Montgomery and drafting Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round. The investments have paid off.

Defensive lineman Pat O’Connor (calf) and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring, illness) were the other Lions players out of practice Wednesday. Both of them were also listed as out on Tuesday, Cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) and running back David Montgomery (knee) were listed as full participants.

The Detroit Lions have had one of the league's most explosive offenses in 2024. The group led the league in scoring in 2024, averaging 33.2 points per game. Though many of the talented skill players rightfully get credit for having big years, running back David Montgomery deflected the credit to the offensive line.

The Detroit Lions conducted their first full practice of the week Wednesday to prepare for the Washington Commanders.

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions were missing two starting offensive linemen at Wednesday's practice ahead of Saturday's Divisional round game against the Washington Commanders. Left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Kevin Zeitler were absent, with Zeitler working off to the side and Decker missing for personal reasons.

offensive tackle Taylor Decker and center Frank Ragnow, were first-round picks in 2016 and 2018. Detroit bolstered the backfield in 2023, signing free agent David Montgomery and drafting Jahmyr ...

Montgomery’s return is the big talking point of the week, and we’ll examine what to expect from that and more in this week’s depth chart projection.

Also missing from practice were cornerback Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring/illness) and defensive lineman Pat O’Connor (calf). Rakestraw had his 21-day return window last week, so missing back-to-back practices isn’t the best sign.

He was joined by left tackle Taylor Decker, who did not practice ... Cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) and running back David Montgomery (knee) were listed as full participants.

There could be a ton of turnover, even with head coach Dan Campbell remaining in place at the top. But Campbell doesn't foresee the Lions falling out of contention for several reasons. "That core group is still intact and some of these guys are now -- we've signed some back,

But Detroit got less than it wanted and took a step back from last year's postseason run. The Lions entered the divisional round as Super Bowl favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, and exited with a 45-31 loss to sixth-seeded Washington on Saturday night in front of a stunned and saddened crowd.

After Saturday’s stunning divisional-round loss to the Commanders, Lions head coach Dan Campbell still believes his team’s Super Bowl window remains open.