ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was a full participant in Tuesday's walking practice at the Meijer Performance Center.

As the top-seeded Lions prepare to face the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on Saturday night, Montgomery said he's excited to return to conference play after missing Detroit's last three regular-season games with a medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee.

“It’s refreshing,” Montgomery said. "Kind of getting back into a position where I can help the team, and yeah, I missed it and it's nice to be back."

Montgomery was also a key contributor to the Lions' run to last year's NFC Championship Game playoff run, rushing for 183 yards in three games, the most by any player in a single postseason game in franchise history.

Montgomery said he's confident in his knee and "if I'm not ready, I'm not going to play." His rigorous rehab routine includes building physical strength on the medial collateral ligament, which he describes as "pretty strenuous," but important for achieving success during this time. Internal recovery goals are also necessary.

After injuring his knee in a Week 15 loss to Buffalo, Montgomery took three medical opinions before opting for rehab instead of surgery, with optimistic results for his postseason return. He said he was pleased with the decision.

"I think there was speculation that I was going to have surgery or that was the end result. No one really knew," Montgomery said. "So when it came out, I had no idea I was going to have surgery. So the media told me, so it was news to me, but I was always very confident in who I was and how I prepared."

Montgomery rushed for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, becoming the Lions' second-leading rusher behind Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed 1,412 yards and 20 total touchdowns, a league-high.

Lions coach Dan Campbell also welcomes Montgomery back with open arms and believes he will contribute immediately.

"It means a lot," Campbell said. "Five guys are a big part of who we are. He's a big part of who we are and to me, he's a cow. He's a tone-setter. He's the catalyst, so he has a place. There's a place for him here, So there will be a place for him in this game, so it will be good to have him back."

Montgomery gained tough yardage for the Lions as part of a dangerous running back tandem with Gibbs. Since joining the Lions in 2023, he's averaging 2.0 yards after first contact, fifth in the league with at least 300 carries, according to ESPN Research.

He said he envisions the Lions reaching the Super Bowl for the first time with him as a key contributor.

"I have a dream that we get to the Super Bowl," Montgomery said. "It's crazy. The closer we get, the more vivid they become. I have them all the time. But I don't know what it's going to be like when we get there, but I know we'll be there."