Sione Vaki - Page 3 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

HIGHLIGHT: Vaki puts helmet on ball to force fumble on punt Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki puts helmet on ball to force fumble on punt.

AUGUST 16, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Warming up ahead of exhibition game Vaki (leg) is in uniform and is taking part in special-teams warmups leading up to Saturday's preseason matchup versus Miami, Richard Silva of The Detroit News reports.

Impact A leg injury prevented Vaki from taking part in Detroit's first two exhibition contests, but it appears the second-year running back could play Saturday. Vaki has been practicing this week, and if he does get cleared to play against the Dolphins, he could get an extended look. His ability to take the field could be a significant development in his quest to earn the Lions' No. 3 RB role, which he's competing with Craig Reynolds for.

AUGUST 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions' Sione Vaki ready to put frustrating offseason behind him and show coaches and teammates what he can do Penei Sewell on changing the Lions culture

AUGUST 15, 2025 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Lions injury updates: 2 players return for Dolphins joint practice, 1 remains absent | Sporting News Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered injury updates on three players on Wednesday, including cornerback Terrion Arnold, edge rusher...

AUGUST 13, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Doesn't play Friday Vaki (leg) did not play in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons, Christian Booher of SI.com reports.

Impact Vaki injured his leg near the start of training camp, and while he's been able to practice in a limited capacity, he was not cleared to play in Friday's contest. The rookie fourth-rounder is battling Craig Reynolds and Jabari Small for the RB3 job behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Vaki will look to increase his practice participation over the coming week in order to be given the green light to play against the Dolphins on Saturday, Aug. 16.

AUGUST 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Handling individual drills Vaki (leg) returned to practice Monday and participated in individual drills and walkthroughs, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports.

Impact Vaki missed roughly one week of training camp activities due to a leg injury, but he's now returned to on-field work in a limited capacity. The 2024 fourth-round pick suited up for 16 regular-season games as a rookie but totaled just 51 yards on offense, though he also has the versatility to contribute at safety and on special teams, which boosts his odds of being able to secure a depth role.

JULY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell provides injury updates on key reserves Two Detroit Lions backups, defensive tackle Roy Lopez and running back Sione Vaki, are expected to be out for a few days, coach Dan Campbell...

JULY 22, 2025 • FREEP.COM

Lions injury updates: Alex Anzalone, Sione Vaki, Roy Lopez, Malcolm Rodriguez, Miles Frazier, Mekhi Wingo | Sporting News Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered several injury updates on notable players, including on linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is deali...

JULY 22, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Lions Provide Updates on Vaki, Lopez, Previously Injured Players Detroit Lions provide injury updates on Sione Vaki, Roy Lopez, Malcolm Rodriguez.

JULY 22, 2025 • SUNHERALD.COM

Leaves practice due to leg injury Vaki left practice Monday due to a leg injury, Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News reports.

Impact The exact nature and severity of the injury have yet to be determined. Vaki is competing for a depth role in Detroit's backfield after notching only 51 total yards on offense in his rookie regular season. The 2024 fourth-round draft pick can also play safety and is expected to contribute on special teams once healthy.

JULY 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Veteran CB Misses Practice, Vaki Leaves Injured Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki leaves practice with apparent leg injury.

JULY 21, 2025 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Some NFL teams are cancelling pre-draft visits; why Lions GM Brad Holmes still values them The Lions drafted at least 4 players they hosted on pre-draft visits in 2024: Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Gio Manu and Sione Vaki

APRIL 17, 2025 • FREEP.COM

Sees limited use in rookie season Vaki appeared in 16 of the Lions' 17 games during the regular season, finishing with six carries for 14 yards and three catches for 37 yards. He was also active for the Lions' 45-3...

Impact Though Vaki excelled at both safety and running during his time in college at Utah, the Lions drafted him in the fourth round of April's draft with the intention of making him a full-time running back. He saw limited action on offense as a rookie while Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery took on the bulk of the snaps out of the backfield, but Vaki's established himself as a core member of Detroit's special teams units. In addition to returning two kickoffs for 55 yards, Vaki recorded eight tackles over his 310 special-teams snaps. With both Gibbs and Montgomery under contract for 2025, Vaki's role on offense may not expand dramatically in his second NFL season.

JANUARY 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

First touches since Week 6 Vaki rushed the ball five times for nine yards in Sunday's 52-6 win over the Jaguars.

Impact Vaki entered the game in the fourth quarter with the Lions well out in front, turning a career-high five carries into nine yards. The rookie remains an extreme depth option in Detroit's backfield, playing only nine offensive snaps before Sunday's blowout victory.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Full go for Wednesday Vaki (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact The 2024 fourth-round pick from Utah missed the Lions' Week 9 win over the Packers due to a knee injury. However, Vaki appears to have moved past the knee issue following Wednesday's full practice. Now that he's returned to full health, expect Vaki to play almost strictly on special teams in the Lions' Week 10 matchup against the Texans.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Week 9 Vaki (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Impact Vaki looked to be on his way to being available Sunday after logging a full practice Thursday, but he was tagged as doubtful after not practicing Friday. The rookie fourth-round pick's next chance at suiting up will be Week 10 against the Texans on Sunday, Nov. 10. David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds will be the Lions' three running backs for Sunday's contest.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful for Sunday Vaki (knee) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers.

Impact Vaki appeared to have moved past his knee issue after recording a full practice session Thursday. However, he downgraded to a DNP on Friday and will likely miss the Lions' Week 9 divisional matchup. With Vaki expected to be sidelined Sunday, Detroit's running back room will likely consist of David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds.

NOVEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Past knee injury Vaki (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.

Impact Vaki was held out of Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury he likely picked up during the Lions' Week 8 win over the Titans. The injury doesn't appear to be severe, however, as he was able to practice without limitations Thursday. Barring any setbacks, Vaki will suit up and play in his special teams role against the Packers on Sunday.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with knee issue Vaki (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

Impact Detroit's No. 4 running back recorded one total tackle across 22 special-teams snaps in Sunday's blowout win; however, it appears he sustained a knee injury in the process. The rookie from Utah could be in jeopardy of missing Week 9's matchup against the Packers if he doesn't upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday.

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited usage in Week 1 Vaki failed to log any stats while playing two offensive snaps in Sunday's 26-20 overtime win against the Rams.

Impact Vaki was used sparingly in Week 1, seeing just two plays with the offense. He saw the majority of his action on special teams, logging 18 snaps with that unit. It is worth noting that fellow running back Craig Reynolds didn't see any offensive action as Vaki and Reynolds vy for the No. 3 role in Detroit's backfield behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Buried on the depth chart, Vaki doesn't carry much fantasy value at the moment.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

WATCH: Former Utah Two-Way Star Shows Off His Impressive Singing Voice Sione Vaki has taken the meaning of multi-talented to a whole new level as the athlete can not only play defense and offense effortlessly, b...

AUGUST 23, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Productive in preseason game Vaki ran for 22 yards on six carries and caught four passes for 60 yards on four targets in Saturday's preseason game against Kansas City.

Impact The rookie fourth-round pick out of Utah seemingly played in the rotation following Craig Reynolds, who took the first touch at running back with Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) and David Montgomery left out of the game. The Lions plan to run often and are expected to keep all four running backs on the roster, and whatever the depth chart placement might be between Vaki and Reynolds at the moment could change over the course of the year. Vaki's pass-catching upside stands out, not just because of his strong showing Saturday but even more so because Vaki turned 14 targets into 11 catches for 203 yards and three touchdowns for Utah last year.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: Growth of Lions rookie Sione Vaki on full display — even if he doesn't fully feel it yet After preseason opener, it's clear Detroit Lions should sign better backup quarterback

AUGUST 14, 2024 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Gets four carries in NFL debut Vaki rushed four times for 29 yards and wasn't targeted in Thursday's 14-3 preseason loss to the Giants. He also recovered a fumble.

Impact All four of Vaki's carries came on one drive late in the first half, and he also showed good awareness for a rookie by recovering a fumble committed by a Giants defender on an interception return. The versatile fourth-round pick played both safety and running back at Utah, but the Lions have had Vaki concentrate on the latter position to begin his NFL career. He appears to be no higher than fourth on the depth chart behind Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds, who started Thursday's game. Detroit's second preseason game will be next Saturday in Kansas City.

AUGUST 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sione Vaki's juke moves disorient Giants defenders on 15-yard run

AUGUST 9, 2024 • YOUTUBE

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