- May 21, 2026
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The Lions have the highest-paid running back in the NFL, Jahmyr Gibbs, as their starter. Behind him, they have two other running backs on the roster: Sione Vaki, who has seven carries for 18 yards in his NFL career, and Jacob Saylors, who has two carries for 11 yards in his NFL career. That makes depth at running back a major concern.
Or at least it would seem to be, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions will be fine playing running-back-by-committee with Saylors and Vaki if needed.
"It's by committee," Campbell said. "I see Vaki getting some reps too. I don't see it like Saylors is running back 2. Saylors brings special teams value and there's things he's been able to do. We've seen more of him than Vaki in games, preseason games, but Vaki had some pretty good reps in practice, and we know Vaki is a very valuable special teams player, too. But we feel like Vaki is ready to take some of this on as a runner and pass protector and receiver. So we feel good with either one of those guys in there when Jah needs a breather."
After trading David Montgomery to Houston, the Lions expect to give Gibbs a bigger workload than he's ever had before. But Gibbs won't be on the field for every play, and Vaki and Saylors also will get a heavier workload.
Or at least it would seem to be, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions will be fine playing running-back-by-committee with Saylors and Vaki if needed.
"It's by committee," Campbell said. "I see Vaki getting some reps too. I don't see it like Saylors is running back 2. Saylors brings special teams value and there's things he's been able to do. We've seen more of him than Vaki in games, preseason games, but Vaki had some pretty good reps in practice, and we know Vaki is a very valuable special teams player, too. But we feel like Vaki is ready to take some of this on as a runner and pass protector and receiver. So we feel good with either one of those guys in there when Jah needs a breather."
After trading David Montgomery to Houston, the Lions expect to give Gibbs a bigger workload than he's ever had before. But Gibbs won't be on the field for every play, and Vaki and Saylors also will get a heavier workload.