NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Bears RB David Montgomery (ankle) is "optimistic" about playing today against the Vikings. These reports almost always come across as "expected" or "not expected" to play, so the wording here seems to indicate a bit less confidence in Montgomery's status. We wouldn't be surprised if an active Montgomery gets less than his usual workload -- especially with Khalil Herbert running well and the Bears heavy underdogs on the road. If Montgomery is active, this looks like a backfield to try to avoid. We will keep our RB rankings updated throughout the morning.

Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter hears that Montgomery "plans to play against the Vikings barring any pregame setbacks."

RB David Montgomery returned from his one-game absence as Detroit's clear lead back, racking up a whopping 32 carries for 121 yards in Thursday night's win over the Packers. RB Jahmyr Gibbs toted it just eight times. Just as importantly, Montgomery continued to hog work near the goal line. He carried eight times inside Green Bay's 10-yard line and converted three of those into TDs. Montgomery is already up to five rushing TDs on the season, despite missing about five quarters with that thigh injury. He's now tallied 21 and 32 carries in his two full games -- and 16 carries in about three quarter's worth of action in Week 2. Montgomery looks like an easy weekly fantasy starter going forward with this type of volume. He has an excellent Week 5 matchup vs. a Panthers defense currently ranked 29th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs.

Lions RB David Montgomery (thigh) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Packers. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said this morning that Montgomery will be returning as Detroit’s “lead back.” He’s a solid RB2 against a beatable Green Bay run defense missing LB De’Vondre Campbell.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero now reports that (via miscommunication) he was incorrect this morning on the status of RB David Montgomery. The Lions RB is expected to return from his thigh injury for Thursday night's game against the Packers. Assuming this proves true, Montgomery should be back in the low-RB2 mix for fantasy football lineups. Rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs, meanwhile, should see a big decrease in his rushing share vs. Sunday's game. Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight can go back to being guys we forget are there. Detroit is also expected to get LT Taylor Decker back, which can only help both the run and pass offense.

Update: Pelissero adds that Montgomery will be the "lead back," with "plenty" still in the plan for Gibbs as well. We'll trust that he's not working off miscommunication this time. Check your Team Intel page or the Week 4 rankings before setting your lineup.

Lions RB David Montgomery (thigh) was a limited participant in practice again on Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game vs. the Packers. HC Dan Campbell expressed optimism about Montgomery's status for that one on Tuesday, so we're tentatively expecting him to play. We'll get Detroit's inactives around 7 pm ET tomorrow.

Lions RB David Montgomery (thigh) was listed as a limited participant on Tuesday's injury report. It was just a walkthrough on the short week, but Montgomery said he's hoping to make it back for Thursday night's game vs. the Packers. "We've been doing everything right as far as preparing myself in the training room, mentally being there," Montgomery said. "We are just taking it day by day, but I'm ready for whatever." We'll see how Montgomery is listed on the final injury report tomorrow.