The Detroit Lions may have avoided the worst with one of their most versatile running backs, who will avoid a lengthy trip to injured reserve — though could still miss the season opener.
Second-year back Sione Vaki had a nagging hamstring injury throughout training camp and was seen as a candidate to start the season on injured reserve, but Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that the team decided he would avoid it.
Running back Sione Vaki could miss the Detroit Lions‘ season opener against the Green Bay Packers, but the hamstring injury he’s battled all preseason is not expected to impact his place on the 53-man roster,” Birkett wrote. The Lions have indicated to Vaki that they do not plan to place him on injured reserve with a designation to return when they set their initial roster at 4 p.m. today.
Sione Vaki Set to Return This Month
As Birkett noted, it’s still unclear exactly when Vaki could take the field again, but avoiding a trip to IR means it will be under four games barring an unforeseen setback. Teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR when they set initial 53-man rosters, which frees up a roster spot for immeidate use, but the Lions opted not to use that option for Vaki.
While Vaki didn’t have a big role on offense as the No. 4 running back last season — rushing for just 14 yards and adding three receptions for 37 yards — he was a core special teams player. Vaki appeared in 71% of Detroit’s special teams snaps last season, making eight total tackles with one forced fumble.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell has shied away from giving an exact date that Vaki could return, other than saying it will take longer than Graham Glasgow’s return from injury. Campbell said the team’s starting center “should be good” to play in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
“Vaki, we’ll see. That could be a tick longer (than Glasgow), but it’s not a major thing,” Campbell said, via SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit.
Vaki could see his role expand under new running backs coach Tashard Choice.
Lions Make Other Backfield Moves
The Lions brought their backfield into shape leading up to Tuesday’s final roster deadline. The team parted ways with former UFL star Jacob Saylors, who had some strong performances in training camp and the preseason.
As Kory Woods of MLive.com noted, Detroit’s backfield was just too deep to make room for Saylors.
“During his brief stint in Detroit, Saylors flashed potential, finishing the preseason with 33 carries for 112 yards,” Woods wrote. “Still, making the 53-man roster was always going to be a steep climb for the former UFL rushing leader. Veterans Craig Reynolds and second-year back Sione Vaki are the leading candidates to complement the backfield duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Saylors could be a good candidate to return to the practice squad, which could bring an immediate opportunity to suit up should Vaki miss at least the first week.
Lions Get Good News on Versatile Running Back as Season Nears