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Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs Questionable vs. Panthers After Suffering Hamstring Injury

zach bachar

Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has officially been listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for the team's upcoming matchup against the Carolina Panthers this weekend.

Gibbs has been in a timeshare with veteran David Montgomery after being selected 12th overall in the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt on 39 carries.

If he's unable to play, Lions head coach Dan Campbell will likely lean on Montgomery and fifth-year pro Craig Reynolds to help keep Detroit's rushing offense afloat.

Gibbs was one of two halfbacks selected in the first round this year along with Bijan Robinson, marking 2023 as only the second time since 2019 that multiple running backs were picked in the opening round of the draft.

While Robinson has found instant success in Atlanta's offense, Gibbs is still looking to carve out his role in Detroit. Montgomery has taken the lion's share of short-yardage and goal-line snaps, recording five touchdowns in three appearances. Gibbs has yet to find the end zone.

If Gibbs is unable to play, the Lions should still have success with the ground game, as Carolina's defense has performed poorly through four contests. The Panthers are giving up 136.2 rushing yards per game, the sixth-worst mark in the NFL.

Detroit has looked strong to start the year as it attempts to build on last season's surprising 9-8 finish. The Lions sit atop the NFC North with a record of 3-1, including impressive victories over the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers.

While Gibbs hasn't burst onto the scene, they've still been able to lean on an above-average rushing attack while utilizing heavy doses of play action so that quarterback Jared Goff is able to punish backpedaling defenders.

The Lions and Panthers will kick off this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

   

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