Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery's availability for Week 8 is in question, leaving fantasy football managers uncertain about his potential impact. The latest injury update suggests that Montgomery may not take the field on Monday Night Football, creating a domino effect on the fantasy value of backup running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Montgomery's injury status has caught the attention of fantasy football managers who are eager to assess his potential contribution in Week 8. The implications of his absence or presence on the football field are significant for both the Lions and fantasy managers alike.

As of now, the Detroit Lions have not provided an official update on Montgomery's status. The team is expected to begin practice on Thursday, which may offer some clarity on whether Montgomery will be able to play in Monday's game.

Head coach Dan Campbell's remarks earlier this week suggested that Montgomery could be sidelined for a few weeks. Campbell mentioned that Montgomery's position makes it challenging to deal with the injury, hinting at his absence in the upcoming games. Montgomery was absent from practice all week leading up to Week 7 and was subsequently ruled out due to a rib injury sustained in Week 6.

Given the latest information, the current estimation is that Montgomery is "doubtful" to play on Monday Night Football in Week 8. However, a definitive conclusion cannot be reached until more details emerge. Fantasy managers hope to see Montgomery at least return to limited participation in practice before Saturday, when the Lions will make their final decision.

The best-case scenario for fantasy managers would be for Montgomery to be officially ruled out, as it would provide clarity for their lineups. On the other hand, if Montgomery carries a "questionable" tag, it would force managers to make a difficult decision on whether to wait for his status on Monday or bench him in favor of a healthier player with a clearer role.

Adding to the complexity is the fact that Week 9 is the Lions' bye week, which may influence their decision to sit Montgomery for Week 8. With a 5-2 record and Week 8 not being a do-or-die game for the team, taking a cautious approach to Montgomery's injury is a sensible option. This approach would allow him an extended two-week recovery period without risking aggravation of his injury.

In terms of fantasy rankings, if Montgomery were to play, he would likely secure a top-15 running back position due to being the Lions' primary back when healthy. However, given the uncertainty surrounding his status, Montgomery is currently unranked in the PFN Consensus Fantasy Rankings. In his absence, Jahmyr Gibbs emerges as a promising option, ranked as RB16 overall and receiving support from all four of the PFN analysts who have him within their top 50.

Fantasy managers will have to closely monitor the injury updates on Montgomery leading up to Monday Night Football. His potential absence and Jahmyr Gibbs' elevated ranking present both challenges and opportunities for managers seeking to optimize their lineups in Week 8.