ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The banged-up Detroit Lions took some serious hits in their loss to the Buffalo Bills.
“Nobody cares,” coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “Nobody is going to give us a pass or put an asterisk next to your record.”
Running back David Montgomery and defensive tackle Alim McNeill need season-ending knee surgeries after both were hurt in Sunday’s loss, Campbell said. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey had season-ending surgery Sunday night after breaking his leg against the Bills.
The Lions also will be indefinitely without cornerback Carlton Davis III, who had a jaw injury in the 48-42 loss that ended their franchise-record, 11-game winning streak.
“Not sure how long that’s going to be,” Campbell said of Davis’ absence. “I just know in the immediate future, I don’t see it.”
Detroit’s roster has been decimated with 18 players on injured reserve and the latest wave to push that total past 20.
The Lions have lost six starters on defense from their Week 1 lineup, including defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who broke his leg two months ago at Dallas.
The Lions (12-2) have overcome the injuries, which have hit the defense particularly hard, well enough to win 11 straight games before losing to the Bills.
The setback allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to pull into a tie for top seeding in the NFC and gave the Minnesota Vikings a chance to share first place in the NFC North with three games left in the regular season. The Vikings close the regular season at Detroit.
“Sometimes you’ve got to get punched in the face,” Campbell said. “This is good for us. We’re going to use this to our advantage and get ready for a division opponent on the road.”
The Lions play the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field.
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Montgomery will miss an opportunity to play against his former team and to help Detroit attempt to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in team history. He played through his knee injury against the Bills, who limited him to 4 yards on five carries and four catches for 31 yards.
“David is so tough,” Campbell said.
Montgomery ran for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, rotating with speedy running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and had 36 receptions for 341 yards.
“We’re going to miss him,” Campbell said.
McNeill will leave a big void on the defensive line, a position group that had seven players on IR before the standout defensive tackle was injured. He had seven tackles for a loss, tied for the team lead with Hutchinson and linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is also on IR.
Davis has defended 11 passes, trailing only Brian Branch’s total, and has two interceptions, ranking third on the team.
Dorsey was among the top tacklers on special teams and returned four kickoffs, including one for 72 yards to help the Lions pull away in a tie game with the Tennessee Titans.
“Some guys are going to have an unbelievable opportunity,” Campbell said. “You’re a guy who’s on the vet squad or you’re a young player or you’re somebody that’s been dying to get an opportunity, you’re about to get it.”