Vaki (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
Vaki has not been able to practice since suffering a groin injury in Week 3 against the Ravens. He'll miss a third consecutive game due to the injury, and the 2024 fourth-rounder's next opportunity to play is Week 7 against Tampa Bay on Monday, Oct. 20. Craig Reynolds and Jacob Saylors will continue to serve as the Lions' depth backfield options behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Still not practicing
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Vaki (groin) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Ben Raven of MLive reports.
Vaki has missed two consecutive games and hasn't practiced in any capacity since injuring his groin Week 3. He appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Chiefs. If Vaki is ruled out again, Craig Reynolds will get another chance to handle the clear RB3 role behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: DNP on Thursday
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Vaki (groin) did not practice Thursday, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
Vaki has appeared in just one game this season, logging seven special-teams snaps. He doesn't have an offensive role behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Out for Week 4
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Vaki (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Browns, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
The Utah product didn't practice all week after sustaining a groin injury in the Lions' Week 3 win over the Ravens, so it's no surprise that he'll be sidelined Sunday. Vaki played just seven special-teams snaps in that contest, so his absence is unlikely to have much impact on Detroit in Week 4.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Won't return due to groin injury
Rotowire
Vaki has been ruled out for the rest of Monday's game against the Ravens due to a groin injury.
Vaki appeared to suffer the injury on punt coverage in the first half. He was quickly taken to the locker room, and after further evaluation, the injury has been deemed severe enough for him to not return to Monday's contest. With Craig Reynolds (coach's decision) a healthy scratch and Vaki done for the night, Jacob Saylors will serve as the Lions' RB3 behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery the rest of the way.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Practices fully
Rotowire
Vaki (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Vaki has missed both of Detroit's first two games, but his return to a full practice this week would seem to give Vaki a chance to play Monday night against the Ravens. As the Lions' RB4, it's unclear if he'll even be active behind Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Inactive for Week 2
Rotowire
Vaki (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears.
The running back was listed as doubtful for the matchup after missing Week 1 with the same injury. Vaki played mostly as a special teamer in 2024, as Detroit's crowded backfield of Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds made it hard to get offensive snaps. The second-year pro is in line for a similar role once he returns.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Doubtful for Week 2
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Vaki (hamstring) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Vaki missed Week 1 with the injury. The Lions' RB4, Vaki doesn't have much of a gameday role behind Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds in Detroit.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Still dealing with hamstring injury
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Vaki (hamstring) was listed as an non-participant on the Lions' estimated injury report Wednesday.
Vaki was limited to just one preseason game due to a hamstring injury that has lingered into the regular season. The 2024 fourth-rounder will have to return to practice Thursday and Friday in at least a limited capacity to have a chance at playing in Sunday's regular-season opener against the Packers. Vaki is expected to mostly serve on special teams this season while serving in a backfield depth role behind Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Unlikely to play in opener
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Vaki didn't practice Tuesday due to a hamstring injury and is unlikely to be available for Sunday's game against the Packers, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Though Vaki earned a spot on Detroit's 53-man roster as the team's No. 4 running back, he missed the Lions' final preseason game Aug. 23 against the Texans and looks as though he'll need more time to make a full recovery. Once he moves past the hamstring, Vaki is unlikely to see much playing time on offense but could be a key part of the Lions' special-teams units.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Warming up ahead of exhibition game
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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.
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, for which he's competing with Craig Reynolds.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Doesn't play Friday
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Vaki (leg) did not play in Friday's preseason game against the Falcons, Christian Booher of SI.com reports.
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 former 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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Handling individual drills
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Vaki (leg) returned to practice Monday and participated in individual drills and walkthroughs, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Won't play Week 9
Rotowire
Vaki (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Doubtful for Sunday
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Vaki (knee) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Past knee injury
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Vaki (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.
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 usual special-teams role against the Packers on Sunday.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Dealing with knee issue
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Vaki (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Productive in preseason game
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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.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Gets four carries in NFL debut
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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.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Back at practice
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Vaki returned to practice Friday, and Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated Vaki's shoulder problem is "nothing long term," Jeff Risdon of USA Today and John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated report.
Vaki left practice early on Thursday with shoulder problems, but it appears the injury won't be a problem moving forward as he returned to practice just a day later. 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.
