Lions HC Dan Campbell reveals rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs will play vs Ravens

Jahmyr Gibbs‘ tender hamstring has healed just in time to replace an ailing David Montgomery in the Lions offense for Sunday’s game against the Ravens.

Coach Dan Campbell confirmed the Gibbs news, Friday. Detroit already was without Montgomery, their starting running back. He suffered a significant rib injury last Sunday.

Campbell said Gibbs, the Lions’ first-round pick out of Alabama, was going to represent a chunk of Detroit’s offensive game plan.

“Certainly, I think he’s going to need to take the load of it,” Campbell said at his Friday media availability. “We’re just going to have to see where he’s at. I’d like to say we want to be careful with him, but the reality of it is, we need him. So, we’ll go as far as he can take us here — trying to be as smart as we can.

“But, he’s got to go. He’s ready.”

This isn’t the first time that Campbell has asked his rookie back to take on a bigger role. Montgomery was hurt last month and couldn’t play against the Falcons. Gibbs stepped in, rushing 17 times for 80 yards.

However, Gibbs missed the last two games because of the hamstring injury.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson talked Thursday about the impact injuries have had on Detroit’s running game. His scheme is fairly balanced and doesn’t want to be reliant solely on Jared Goff’s arm.

“D-Mo’s a major blow,” Johnson told reporters. “He was a bell cow for us, but like we’ve had so often already this year in the receiver room and the O-line room, someone will step up and rise to the occasion, there’s no doubt about it.”

They’re hoping Gibbs will be that guy.

“Really kind of since Coach (Dan) Campbell came in we’re a very resilient group and as an offense, as a team, and guys tend to rise to the occasion when they get an opportunity,” the offensive coordinator said.

The Ravens defense is a tough foe. Baltimore leads the NFL in sacks. Plus, the Ravens are No. 2 in pass defense and 10th against the run. The Lions did need Goff last week in a 20-6 win over the Bucs when the running game stalled to a season-low 40 yards. The quarterback threw a season-high 44 times for 353 yards and two touchdowns.

So the return of Jahmyr Gibbs is welcome news.