Vaki turned three carries into 14 yards and hauled in both of his targets for seven yards during the Lions'
Vaki entered Week 9 on the heels of an 11-carry performance against the Vikings in Week 8, but the third-year running back saw his offensive touches slashed in half Sunday while operating as the Lions' RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs. Through eight regular-season games, Vaki has turned 30 carries into 135 yards and added seven catches on eight targets for 64 yards. He'll continue to operate as a complementary piece while Isiah Pacheco (back) is on injured reserve, with the latter not expected to return until late December. The Lions will travel to Munich for Week 10 against the Patriots on Nov. 15.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Active for Week 9
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Vaki (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against Miami.
Vaki didn't practice Friday, resulting in a questionable tag for Week 9. However, he will be out there against the Dolphins and may continue to be more involved after totaling 11 carries in the Week 8 win over the Vikings.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Questionable after Friday DNP
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Vaki (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Vaki appeared on Friday's injury report as a non-participant with a new ankle injury. The backup running back had 70 total yards in the Lions' Week 8 win over the Vikings. If Vaki must miss Sunday's contest, Jacob Saylors (neck) or a practice squad elevation will likely play the reserve role behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Totals 70 yards in win over Minnesota
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Vaki rushed 11 times for 65 yards in Sunday's 19-15 win over the Vikings. He added one catch for five yards on one target.
With Jared Goff struggling against the Vikings' blitz-heavy defense, the Lions dished out 34 carries to Jahmyr Gibbs and Vaki. It was Vaki's most extensive action of the season, and coach Dan Campbell said afterward that the Lions' RB2 took a "big step" and earned a lot of trust with his performance, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. It's unclear if that will translate to more opportunities, but it's clear Vaki has cemented himself as Gibbs' backup and a quality bench stash in fantasy leagues.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Gets two touches in loss
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Vaki recorded one carry for seven yards and caught his only target for 13 yards during Thursday's 41-31 loss at Buffalo.
Vaki was on the field for 11 of the Lions' 65 offensive snaps in Week 2, a similar workload to what he saw in Week 1. Barring an injury to starter Jahmyr Gibbs, Vaki seems unlikely to get the ball more than a couple times in any given game.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Two carries in victory
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Vaki turned two carries into seven yards while also reeling in his only target for 11 yards in Sunday's 31-30 overtime win against New Orleans.
Vaki operated as the Lions' No. 2 option running back in Week 1 behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs, but he didn't really have much of an impact over his 22 offensive snaps. The running back also logged 24 snaps on special teams in the victory. Gibbs will likely continue to dominate the touches in the backfield while Isiah Pacheco (back) is on injured reserve, leaving Vaki as an unappealing fantasy option.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Committee approach at RB2
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Coach Dan Campbell said Monday that neither Vaki nor Jacob Saylors is viewed as the Lions' strict RB2, and Detroit will use a committee approach behind Jahmyr Gibbs, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
Isiah Pacheco was signed over the offseason to serve as the Lions' RB2 behind Gibbs, but he injured his back and is opening the regular season on injured reserve. Pacheco remains without a firm timetable for return, so it's Vaki and Saylors who will see elevated roles on game days. The inexperienced duo has combined for nine career regular-season carries. Gibbs is expected to have a heavy 2026 workload due to David Montgomery being out of town and now with the Texans.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Elevated role sans Pacheco
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Vaki is in line to operate in an elevated offensive role to open the regular season after Isiah Pacheco (back) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Vaki and Jacob Saylors are the two healthy backup running backs on the roster behind Jahmyr Gibbs following Pacheco's placement on IR. Vaki has mostly operated on special teams since entering the league in 2024 as a fourth-round pick, but he'll have the opportunity to rotate with Saylors behind Gibbs for as long as Pacheco is shelved.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Doesn't play Saturday
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Vaki (back) didn't play in Detroit's preseason loss to the Commanders on Saturday, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
Vaki was dealing with back spasms, so the team held him out as a precaution. Once healthy again, the 25-year-old is expected to compete with Isiah Pacheco (knee) for the top backup spot behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Leaves with eye injury
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Vaki (eye) exited Monday's practice early, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Vaki was poked in the eye during the session. The 2024 fourth-round pick has a shot to compete for the No. 2 spot at running back in 2026, but the signing of Isiah Pacheco means Vaki will need every opportunity to make a case to serve as the primary backup to Jahmyr Gibbs (back).
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Could compete for No. 2 job
Rotowire
Vaki could have an opportunity to compete for the No. 2 spot at running back with the Lions in 2026.
Vaki was scarcely used during the 2025 campaign, logging just two offensive snaps over 11 games, turning his only carry into a four-yard gain. With primary backup David Montgomery being dealt to the Texans on Monday, Vaki currently sits as the most experienced reserve option behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit's backfield. The Lions will almost certainly bring in competition for the 2024 fourth-rounder in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, but he will have his clearest path toward playing time ahead of his third season with the Lions.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: No offensive role in 2025
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Vaki rushed the ball one time for four yards while also adding 39 kickoff-return yards during the 2025 regular season.
Vaki logged two total offensive snaps during his sophomore campaign with the Lions, operating as a distant depth option behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the backfield. The running back was an intriguing asset as a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but with both Gibbs and Montgomery under contract for next season, his upside will once again be limited greatly.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Limited Wednesday
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Vaki (thumb) was limited in Wednesday's practice,
Seemingly on the injury report weekly due to various ailments this season, Vaki has appeared in eight games, playing just one offensive snap and another 136 on special teams. He carries next to no fantasy value.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Suiting up Sunday
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Vaki (thumb) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams.
Vaki has been dealing with a thumb issue throughout December but hasn't missed any time because of the injury. With Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both healthy, Vaki probably won't get much (if any) work on offense against Los Angeles, though he consistently has served as a core special-teamer.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Questionable for Sunday
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Vaki (thumb) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Vaki was limited in practice throughout the week with a thumb injury he suffered in Week 13 against the Packers. Given that he played through the injury in Week 14, the 24-year-old should have a good chance to play Sunday against the Rams, barring a setback. Should he sit out, Jacob Saylors will serve as the No. 3 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Remains limited by thumb injury
Rotowire
Vaki logged a limited practice Wednesday.
Vaki played through the thumb injury in Detroit's Week 14 win over Dallas after practicing in limited fashion throughout the week. Considering he's remaining limited to start the new week, Vaki should be in a good position to suit up Sunday against the Rams, barring a setback.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Set to face Dallas
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Vaki (thumb) is active for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
Vaki has been battling an ankle injury for the last few weeks, but it was a thumb issue that caused him to be listed as questionable for Thursday's pivotal matchup against the Cowboys. He'll likely be limited to special-teams work versus Dallas.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Deemed questionable
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) is questionable for Thursday's game versus the Cowboys.
Vaki appeared to pick up a thumb injury during last week's loss to the Packers, putting his status in jeopardy ahead of a crucial game versus the Cowboys. If Vaki -- who has played just two offensive snaps this season -- sits out, Jacob Saylors will serve as the No. 3 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Still limited at practice Tuesday
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Vaki (thumb) was a limited participant at practice Tuesday.
Vaki popped up on Detroit's injury report Monday with a thumb issue, and he's still tending to that as the team's preparations for Week 14 continue. If he can't upgrade to full participation at practice Wednesday, he'll likely carry an injury designation into game day.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Dealing with thumb issue
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Vaki (thumb) was a limited participant at practice Monday.
Vaki was able to play through an ankle injury in the team's 34-27 loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving, but he may have picked up a thumb injury in the contest. The running back's ability to practice in any capacity is a good sign, and he'll have two more chances to log a full practice and leave the injury behind before Thursday's matchup with the Cowboys.
