Dan Campbell talks playoff bye prep, injuries and Aaron Glenn's defense vs the Vikings
FOX 2 - Fresh off clinching the NFC's top seed, first-round bye and home field advantage for the playoffs, the Lions get the luxury of a week off as the Wildcard Round begins - and a chance to heal up.
On Tuesday Coach Dan Campbell gave some injury updates - including the good news that running back David Montgomery is expected back for the NFC Division Round of the playoffs.
Injury updates
One concern following the Lions 31-9 win over the Vikings in the Week 18 finale were three players who left due to injuries. Campbell said the news was good, but for two of the three.
Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot) and offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) are trending in the right direction - but defensive end Pat O'Connor (calf) is not.
"We got much better news on Zeitler and Arnold. I can't guarantee that they are playing but it is much better than when the injuries happened," he said. "O'Connor is not as positive."
Rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw is also heading in the right direction in his recovery, he added.
"I do think there is a chance we get Rake back - he is trending the right way too.
The news isn't so good for cornerback Carlton Davis (jaw) and linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee). Both are expected to miss the remainder of the playoffs - no matter how far the Lions go.
"They are doing great, I don't see them coming back at all," Campbell said.
Sunday night's game featured star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson on the sideline for the first time. Hutchinson, recovering from a broken leg in Week 7, has been furiously rehabbing with an outside chance to play in the Super Bowl, if the Lions are still playing.
"I'm going to say it again. He has a season-ending injury, but if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan - that's the best way to say it," he said.
Getting defensive
Campbell praised the work of the defense in the Week 18 win against the Vikings, adding that it arguably was the best performance of the entire season.
Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn also deserves plenty of credit, and Campbell said there's no reason he shouldn't be one of the top head coaching candidates considered by the league.
"Look, if nobody wants him, I'll take him again," he said. "Aaron Glenn is as good a coach as you're going to find, and he's an even better human being. The thought of going through another cycle, and he's not somebody's head coach is ridiculous. I don't want to lose him, but I root for him because he's a hell of a coach.
Plenty of attention has been focused on Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson, as well, who has also had his name bandied about as head coaching material.
Due to the bye week, both should get their fair share of interview opportunities - which thanks to a non-game week schedule, should free them up without impacting their game preparation, Campbell said.
Playoff bye plans
Campbell said one of the plans is getting a break and recharging - due to the uncertainty of the opponent. The Divisional Playoff game will be against the lowest remaining seeded opponent - the Rams, Vikings, Commanders or Packers on Jan. 18 or 19.
"I've been a part of it as a player and a coach," he said. "You don't know who you're playing, so you start doing legwork on another opponent - then you find out it's not that opponent.
"I don't want to do that to the coaches. My plan is to give them off three days this weekend, refresh, rest and get your sleep. I hate the thought of doing work against someone you might not even play."
