The Lions have the highest paid running back in the NFL, Jahmyr Gibbs, as their starter. Behind him, they have two other 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 appear to be, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the Lions will be fine playing running back-by-committee with Saylors and Vaki if necessary.
“It’s by committee,” Campbell said. “I see Vaki getting some reps as well. I don’t see Saylors getting a 2 back. Saylors brings special teams value and there are 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 that we feel like a special teams player as willing to get Vaki as well. Quarterback and receiver, so we feel good about having 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 ever has before. But Gibbs won’t be on the field for every game, and Vaki and Saylors will also have a heavier workload.
