Until Vaki finds meaningful playing time, Fantasy managers shouldn't bother adding him to rosters.
Fantasy Stats
rushing
receiving
fantasy
Year
yds
Rushing Yards
avg
Average Yards per Rush
td
Rushing Touchdowns
fl
Fumbles Lost
rec
Receptions
yds
Receiving Yards
td
Receiving Touchdowns
fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
2026
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2025
4
4.00
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2024
14
2.33
—
—
3
37
—
3
0.2
3y Avg.
9
2.25
—
—
2
18
—
—
—
Fantasy News
Lions' Sione Vaki: Committee approach at RB2
Rotowire
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 of The Detroit News reports.
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 due to David Montgomery being out of town and now with the Texans.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Elevated role sans Pacheco
Rotowire
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' official site reports.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: DNP while healthy
Rotowire
Vaki did not play in Saturday's preseason finale against the Colts, Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
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.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Doesn't play Saturday
Rotowire
Vaki (back) didn't play in Detroit's preseason loss to the Commanders on Saturday, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
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 Isiah Pacheco (knee) for the top backup spot behind Jahmyr Gibbs.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Leaves with eye injury
Rotowire
Vaki (eye) exited Monday's practice early, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Vaki was poked in the eye during the session. The 2024 fourth-round pick has a shot to compete for the No. 2 spot at running back in 2026, but the signing of Isiah Pacheco means Vaki will need every opportunity to make a case to serve as the primary backup to Jahmyr Gibbs (back).
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Could compete for No. 2 job
Rotowire
Vaki could have an opportunity to compete for the No. 2 spot at running back with the Lions in 2026.
Vaki was scarcely used during the 2025 campaign, logging just two offensive snaps over 11 games, turning his only carry into a four-yard gain. With primary backup David Montgomery being dealt to the Texans on Monday, Vaki currently sits as the most experienced reserve option behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit's backfield. The Lions will almost certainly bring in competition for the 2024 fourth-rounder in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft, but he will have his clearest path toward playing time ahead of his third season with the Lions.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: No offensive role in 2025
Rotowire
Vaki rushed the ball one time for four yards while also adding 39 kickoff-return yards during the 2025 regular season.
Vaki logged two total offensive snaps during his sophomore campaign with the Lions, operating as a distant depth option behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the backfield. The running back was an intriguing asset as a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but with both Gibbs and Montgomery under contract for next season, his upside will once again be limited greatly.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) was limited in Wednesday's practice,
Seemingly on the injury report weekly due to various ailments this season, Vaki has appeared in eight games, playing just one offensive snap and another 136 on special teams. He carries next to no fantasy value.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Suiting up Sunday
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams.
Vaki has been dealing with a thumb issue throughout December but hasn't missed any time because of the injury. With Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both healthy, Vaki probably won't get much (if any) work on offense against Los Angeles, though he consistently has served as a core special-teamer.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Vaki was limited in practice throughout the week with a thumb injury he suffered in Week 13 against the Packers. Given that he played through the injury in Week 14, the 24-year-old should have a good chance to play Sunday against the Rams, barring a setback. Should he sit out, Jacob Saylors will serve as the No. 3 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Remains limited by thumb injury
Rotowire
Vaki logged a limited practice Wednesday.
Vaki played through the thumb injury in Detroit's Week 14 win over Dallas after practicing in limited fashion throughout the week. Considering he's remaining limited to start the new week, Vaki should be in a good position to suit up Sunday against the Rams, barring a setback.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Set to face Dallas
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) is active for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
Vaki has been battling an ankle injury for the last few weeks, but it was a thumb issue that caused him to be listed as questionable for Thursday's pivotal matchup against the Cowboys. He'll likely be limited to special-teams work versus Dallas.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Deemed questionable
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) is questionable for Thursday's game versus the Cowboys.
Vaki appeared to pick up a thumb injury during last week's loss to the Packers, putting his status in jeopardy ahead of a crucial game versus the Cowboys. If Vaki -- who has played just two offensive snaps this season -- sits out, Jacob Saylors will serve as the No. 3 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Still limited at practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) was a limited participant at practice Tuesday.
Vaki popped up on Detroit's injury report Monday with a thumb issue, and he's still tending to that as the team's preparations for Week 14 continue. If he can't upgrade to full participation at practice Wednesday, he'll likely carry an injury designation into game day.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Dealing with thumb issue
Rotowire
Vaki (thumb) was a limited participant at practice Monday.
Vaki was able to play through an ankle injury in the team's 34-27 loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving, but he may have picked up a thumb injury in the contest. The running back's ability to practice in any capacity is a good sign, and he'll have two more chances to log a full practice and leave the injury behind before Thursday's matchup with the Cowboys.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Estimated as limited
Rotowire
Vaki (ankle) was limited on Monday's estimated practice report.
Seemingly injured for most of the season, Vaki has dealt with hamstring, groin and ankle issues in 2025 and has appeared in just five games. He's logged a total of one offensive snap and 82 on special teams, rushing one time for four yards while returning a pair of kickoffs for 39 yards.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Good to go for SNF
Rotowire
Vaki (ankle) is active for Sunday night's contest against Philadelphia.
Vaki is good to go after working through an ankle injury during the week at practice. With Craig Reynolds (coach's decision) inactive, Vaki will operate as the No. 3 option at running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Week 11.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Cleared to play vs. Minnesota
Rotowire
Vaki (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Vikings.
A hamstring injury limited Vaki's practice participation all week, but he has been cleared to play in Sunday's NFC North tilt. He'll serve as the Lions' RB3 behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery due to Craig Reynolds (hamstring) being inactive.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Limited in practice Thursday
Rotowire
Vaki (groin) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.
Vaki has opened Week 9 prep with a pair of limited practices as he tries to return for his first game action since Week 3. If Vaki gets the green light to play Sunday against the Vikings, he could serve as Detroit's third-string running back, as Craig Reynolds (hamstring) has yet to practice this week.
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Lions' Sione Vaki: Ruled out for Week 7
Rotowire
Vaki (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's matchup against Tampa Bay, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Vaki is set to miss his third straight game with the groin injury. He has been active only once this season, as he was sidelined by a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign.
