Sione Vaki - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Sees limited use in rookie season Vaki appeared in 16 of the Lions' 17 games during the regular season, finishing with six carries for 14 yards and three catches for 37 yards. He was also active for the Lions' 45-3...

Impact Though Vaki excelled at both safety and running during his time in college at Utah, the Lions drafted him in the fourth round of April's draft with the intention of making him a full-time running back. He saw limited action on offense as a rookie while Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery took on the bulk of the snaps out of the backfield, but Vaki's established himself as a core member of Detroit's special teams units. In addition to returning two kickoffs for 55 yards, Vaki recorded eight tackles over his 310 special-teams snaps. With both Gibbs and Montgomery under contract for 2025, Vaki's role on offense may not expand dramatically in his second NFL season.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

First touches since Week 6 Vaki rushed the ball five times for nine yards in Sunday's 52-6 win over the Jaguars.

Impact Vaki entered the game in the fourth quarter with the Lions well out in front, turning a career-high five carries into nine yards. The rookie remains an extreme depth option in Detroit's backfield, playing only nine offensive snaps before Sunday's blowout victory.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Full go for Wednesday Vaki (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact The 2024 fourth-round pick from Utah missed the Lions' Week 9 win over the Packers due to a knee injury. However, Vaki appears to have moved past the knee issue following Wednesday's full practice. Now that he's returned to full health, expect Vaki to play almost strictly on special teams in the Lions' Week 10 matchup against the Texans.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Week 9 Vaki (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful for Sunday Vaki (knee) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Packers.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Past knee injury Vaki (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.

Impact 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 special teams role against the Packers on Sunday.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with knee issue Vaki (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited usage in Week 1 Vaki failed to log any stats while playing two offensive snaps in Sunday's 26-20 overtime win against the Rams.

Impact Vaki was used sparingly in Week 1, seeing just two plays with the offense. He saw the majority of his action on special teams, logging 18 snaps with that unit. It is worth noting that fellow running back Craig Reynolds didn't see any offensive action as Vaki and Reynolds vy for the No. 3 role in Detroit's backfield behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Buried on the depth chart, Vaki doesn't carry much fantasy value at the moment.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

WATCH: Former Utah Two-Way Star Shows Off His Impressive Singing Voice Sione Vaki has taken the meaning of multi-talented to a whole new level as the athlete can not only play defense and offense effortlessly, b...

AUGUST 23, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

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

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

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