SIONE VAKI #33 - RUNNING BACK - DETROIT LIONS
40  YDS  •
9  ATT  •
0  TD 
#33 - RUNNING BACK - DETROIT LIONS
40 YDS
9 ATT
0 TD
NFL > DETROIT LIONS >

SIONE VAKI NEWS

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Lions' struggling backup earned more snaps starting in Week 4 Even though he hasn't always been effective, backup running back Sione Vaki finally looked sharp for the Detroit Lions in the win over the J...
4 DAYS AGO • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM
Gibbs on offensive depth RB Jahmyr Gibbs speaks with the media about the offensive depth and Sione Vaki's Week 3 performance.
4 DAYS AGO • DETROITLIONS.COM
Choice on Gibbs and competitiveness Running backs coach Tashard Choice speaks to the media about developing RB Jahmyr Gibbs' competitive side and his relationship with Gibbs an...
4 DAYS AGO • DETROITLIONS.COM
Sione Vaki earned a lot more playing time in Week 4 thanks to solid Jets performance Vaki had a slow start to the season, but he looks like he's shaping up to be a solid backup RB for the Lions.
6 DAYS AGO • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Montgomery on offensive performance Associate head coach/wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery speaks with the media about the offensive performance and starting faster as we...
SEPTEMBER 23 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Gets two touches in loss Vaki recorded one carry for seven yards and caught his only target for 13 yards during Thursday's 41-31 loss at Buffalo.
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE
Two carries in victory 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.
Impact 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 dominant the touches in the backfield while Isiah Pacheco (back) is on injured reserve, leaving Vaki as an unappealing fantasy option.
SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Lions hoping Jahmyr Gibbs can stay as productive despite losing backfield partner

The Detroit Lions know they are asking a lot of star running back Jahmyr Gibbs
SEPTEMBER 14 • Associated Press
Latest Isiah Pacheco injury update means Sione Vaki has limited time to improve Vaki has to step up pronto, or risk losing a spot on the Lions' roster altogether.
SEPTEMBER 14 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Sione Vaki's role with Lions feels unclear after latest comments from Dave Fipp The Detroit Lions don't have many big injury cases to start 2026, but the most interesting in terms of roster implications has been at runni...
SEPTEMBER 11 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
NOTEBOOK: Ratledge feeling more comfortable heading into Year 2 Tim Twentyman covers all the Detroit Lions news of the day including second-year offensive lineman Tate Ratledge's progression, running back...
SEPTEMBER 11 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Sione Vaki has to make the most of the opportunity that just fell into his lap It's Week 1 or never for running back Sione Vaki. On Sunday, the Detroit Lions kick off the 2026 season at home against the New Orleans Sain...
SEPTEMBER 7 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM
Committee approach at RB2 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...
Impact 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 with David Montgomery out of town and now with the Texans.
SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
Elevated role sans Pacheco 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' of...
Impact 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.
SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE
DNP while healthy Vaki did not play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Colts, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
Impact Vaki is not battling any injury. The running back was held out of Saturday's game because he has already proven himself throughout training camp. With Isiah Pacheco (back) still dealing with an injury, Vaki is in line to see reserve snaps behind Jahmyr Gibbs for the Lions' Week 1 game against the Saints.
AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE
Doesn't play Saturday Vaki (back) didn't play in Detroit's preseason loss to the Commanders on Saturday, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
Impact 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 Isaiah Pacheco (knee) for the top backup spot behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
AUGUST 22 • ROTOWIRE
Sione Vaki's return gives him a major opportunity in Lions backfield Vaki's return adds another dimension to the Lions' special teams unit, and another competitor for Jacob Saylors to take over.
AUGUST 18 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Returns to practice Vaki (nose) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, Dave Birkett of freep.com reports.
Impact Vaki broke his nose during last Monday's practice session. The fluke injury kept the special teamer out for just under a week. The running back remains in contention for relief carries behind Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco (knee). With Pacheco out for most of the preseason due to a sprained MCL, Vaki could have a lot of opportunities to show his proficiency in Saturday's game against the Commanders.
AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE
Jahmyr Gibbs' extension puts one Lions comeback story on life support Things are about to get even harder for Sione Vaki.
AUGUST 6 • SIDELIONREPORT.COM
Sione Vaki's Lions future is in jeopardy after latest RB signing Vaki may find himself further down the depth chart upon his return from injury.
AUGUST 5 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM
Dealing with broken nose Vaki suffered a broken nose in Monday's practice, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
Impact Vaki was poked in the eye in the same practice and will now need some time to deal with the injuries. He's competing for a role in the backfield behind Jahmyr Gibbs (back) and Isiah Pacheco this summer. A 2024 fourth-round pick, Vaki has seven career regular-season carries for 18 empty yards.
AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE
Leaves with eye injury Vaki (eye) exited Monday's practice early due to injury, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Impact Vaki was poked in the eye during the session and will need to recover before being able to perform rushing and kick return duties properly. The 2024 fourth-rounder has a shot to compete for the No. 2 spot at running back in 2026, but the signing of former Chiefs No. 1 rusher Isiah Pacheco means Vaki will need every opportunity to cement himself as the primary backup to Jahmyr Gibbs (back).
AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Pacheco provides 'Pop' in the Lions' backfield while awaiting Gibbs' return

Knuckles has punched his ticket out of town
JULY 31 • Associated Press
THE DAILY DRIVE: Entering third season, Lions eager to see if special teams standout Sione Vaki has anything to offer offensively Lions thrilled to have veteran backup QB, but ‘unflappable’ rookie has impressed
JUNE 24 • DETROITLIONS.COM
Lions can't seem to admit their Sione Vaki mistake Dan Campbell's latest remarks prove that Vaki is not where he needs to be heading into Year 3.
JUNE 16 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM
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