Sione Vaki - Page 5 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

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

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

AUGUST 9, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Good to go, nothing long-term Lion's head coach Dan Campbell Vaki is "good" and that his shoulder injury is "nothing long term," Jeff Risdon of USA Today reports.

Impact Vaki left practice early on Thursday with shoulder problems, but it appears the injury won't be a problem moving forward. The rookie running back will need as many reps as he can get ahead of Detroit's season, as he focuses solely on the offensive side of the ball after playing both running back and safety in his collegiate career with Utah.

AUGUST 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets banged up Vaki left practice early Thursday with a shoulder injury, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Vaki played safety and running back at Utah last season, before being selected by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2024 Draft. However, the 23-year-old was expected to be used exclusively on offense in Detroit. Any potential missed time during training camp could make it difficult for Vaki to push past Craig Reynolds for snaps at running back and make it difficult for the rookie to carve out a role with the team.

AUGUST 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

GET TO KNOW: Running back Sione Vaki Get to know the Lions’ fourth-round draft pick Sione Vaki.

JUNE 27, 2024 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Get to know: Running back Sione Vaki View photos of Lions fourth-round pick Sione Vaki from the 2024 offseason.

JUNE 27, 2024 • DETROITLIONS.COM

RBs coach breaks down what made Vaki stand out in pre-draft process Detroit Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie Montgomery recently talked about what made rookie RB Sione Vaki stand out in...

JUNE 13, 2024 • DETROITLIONS.COM

How Lions Plan to Unlock New RB Sione Vaki Detroit Lions Brad Holmes hopes to unlock Sione Vaki's potential at running back

APRIL 29, 2024 • SI.COM

Detroit adds in fourth round The Lions selected Vaki in the fourth round of 2024 NFL Draft, 132nd overall.

Impact Vaki (5-foot-11, 210 pounds) was a do-everything standout at Utah, where he thrived as both a safety and to a lesser extent at running back. Curiously, the Lions listed Vaki as a running back in the pick selection, but the presences of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery would seemingly indicate that there is little or no playing time up for grabs at running back. It might make sense for Detroit to therefore use Vaki as a two-way player the exact same way Utah did and basically call upon him in whichever capacity the situation might call for. If Vaki can earn playing time, there's reason to think he can produce on either offense or defense, though in terms of the depth chart he is probably far away from meaningful playing time in the short term.

APRIL 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE