RADIO
Sione Vaki Carries Shaky Standalone Value in Week 5
Across four games in 2026, Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has recorded 92 scrimmage yards on 13 touches. The 25-year-old saw a season-high seven touches in Detroit's Week 3 win over the New York Jets, but he logged just one catch and did not earn a single carry in the Lions' Week 4 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Vaki is stuck on the Detroit depth chart behind superstar back Jahmyr Gibbs, who currently leads the NFL in touches. With Gibbs healthy heading into Detroit's Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, Vaki remains highly unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload. Arizona also currently ranks 32nd in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed, which could lead to lower rush volume in general for the Lions. Vaki is worth stashing as a handcuff running back, but he remains tough for fantasy managers to trust as a starter in Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Remains a High-End RB1 Option in Week 5
Across four games in 2026, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has rushed for 353 yards and five touchdowns on 80 carries while also hauling in 22 receptions for 187 yards and two scores on 28 targets. While the 24-year-old's rushing efficiency is slightly down from his career norms this year, he currently leads the NFL in total touches and ranks as the RB1 in both per-game and total PPR scoring. In Week 5, Gibbs and the Lions will travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. Arizona's defense has been a mid-pack unit against the run, ranking 20th in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (470). Even if Detroit's offense is once again forced into a pass-heavy game script by the porous Lions defense, Gibbs' work in the passing game gives him a safe production floor for fantasy managers. In Week 5 against Arizona, Gibbs remains a must-start RB1 option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Remains Tough to Rely on in Week 4 Despite Increasing Usage
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has seen little involvement in his team's offense so far in 2026, recording 75 scrimmage yards on 12 touches across three games. However, the 25-year-old had his usage scaled up in Detroit's Week 3 win over the New York Jets, recording six carries for 26 yards and an 11-yard reception while playing a season-high 31% of his team's offensive snaps. As long as superstar Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs remains healthy, Vaki's production upside is limited. Still, Gibbs currently leads the NFL in touches, which may not be sustainable if Detroit hopes to keep him healthy throughout an 18-week season. If he sees another small bump in workload, Vaki could have some chances to score fantasy points in his Week 4 matchup against the Panthers. Carolina has had trouble against the run early on, allowing an NFL-worst 5.7 yards per carry and six total rushing touchdowns through three games. Vaki should not yet be trusted as a starter, but he could be worth stashing in deeper league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Could Be Poised for Monster Week in Favorable Week 4 Matchup
Across three games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has recorded 463 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 83 touches. Gibbs has been productive on the ground, averaging over 100 rushing yards per game and collecting four rushing touchdowns. He's also taken on an even larger role in the Lions' passing game this season, hauling in 18 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets. Gibbs could be poised for another high-usage day in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have had major issues defending the run so far this season, allowing an NFL-worst 5.7 yards per carry and six total rushing touchdowns. Even if the Lions find themselves chasing points, Gibbs' involvement as a receiver out of the backfield should provide him with a safe production floor. Gibbs profiles as a must-start, high-end RB1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Explodes For Three-TD Day Against Jets
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs logged 20 carries for 99 yards and two rushing touchdowns while adding seven receptions for 75 yards and one receiving touchdown in a 31-24 win against the New York Jets. It is the third week straight that Gibbs has been productive in both the ground and the air game, although it was especially impressive in Week 3 against a Jets defense that allowed the fewest yards in the league heading into Sunday's game in Detroit. Gibbs remains a top fantasy producer across various league formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sione Vaki Hard to Trust as More than a Stash Option in Week 3
Across his first two games of 2026, Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has recorded 38 scrimmage yards on five touches. With veteran Lions back Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) currently on Injured Reserve, Vaki has served as the team's RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs. However, Detroit has given Gibbs the vast majority of its backfield work so far this season, utilizing Vaki mostly as a pass-protector for quarterback Jared Goff. Vaki has almost no history of being an impactful offensive player, as he has recorded just 15 touches across 29 career games with the Lions. While the 25-year-old carries some stash appeal in deeper fantasy leagues as a handcuff running back option, Vaki should likely remain on the bench for fantasy managers in his Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Profiles as a High-End Running Back Option in Week 3
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has gotten off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, recording 45 carries for 208 yards and two touchdowns and 11 catches for 91 yards and a score across two games. Gibbs has absolutely dominated the backfield workload in Detroit so far and will likely continue to do so with Lions RB2 Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) currently on Injured Reserve. In Week 3, Gibbs and the Lions will host the New York Jets. The Jets have fielded a fierce run defense so far this season, as they have yet to allow a rushing touchdown and rank first in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (131). However, New York has faced a pair of struggling rushing attacks so far in the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers. Even if the Jets can keep Gibbs in check on the ground, the 24-year-old should continue to see work as a receiver out of the backfield. Heading into Week 3, Gibbs profiles as an elite running back option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Moves Into Handcuff Territory
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki is not getting enough touches to help fantasy lineups, but his spot in the backfield suddenly matters a lot more. Vaki has three carries for 14 yards and two catches for 24 yards through two games, including 20 total yards on two touches against Buffalo. Detroit now lists him directly behind Jahmyr Gibbs on the depth chart, with Jacob Saylors third. Isiah Pacheco (back) is also expected to miss significant time after undergoing surgery, so this does not look like a temporary one-week opening. Gibbs is still handling a massive share of the backfield work, which leaves Vaki without much standalone value. The appeal is what happens if Gibbs ever misses time. RotoBaller includes Vaki among its high-upside handcuffs and recommends him in 14-team PPR leagues. He is a deep bench stash right now, but the path to a much larger role is clearer than his five touches through two games would suggest.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Remains a Risky Start in Week 2 Despite Emerging Role in Detroit
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki emerged as his team's RB2 in Week 1, playing 29% of Detroit's offensive snaps in its overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. With Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) expected to miss three-plus months after undergoing back surgery, Vaki could have an extended runway as the primary backup to star Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs. However, Vaki still projects to play a limited role on offense, as he recorded two carries for seven yards and one catch for 11 yards in Week 1. With Gibbs fully healthy heading into Detroit's matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football, RotoBaller ranks Vaki as the RB68 in Week 2. Deeper-league managers may want to consider stashing Vaki off the waiver wire for his handcuff appeal, but he's not worthy of starting consideration against the Bills.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Remains a Top Running Back Option in Week 2
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs got his season off to a hot start in Week 1, recording 186 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 34 touches in his team's overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. Gibbs dominated the Lions' backfield workload in Week 1, accounting for 93.5% of the team's running back carries. While fantasy managers should not expect the 24-year-old to see 30-plus touches every week, Gibbs appears to clearly be the focal point of Detroit's offense. In Week 2, the Lions will travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills. Buffalo's run defense wasn't great in Week 1, allowing 124 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to the Houston Texans. Detroit will be missing three starters on the offensive line on Thursday night against Buffalo, which could be an issue for Gibbs. Still, Gibbs could see plenty of targets in the passing game in what projects to be a high-scoring affair, which may make up for any potential losses in rushing efficiency. In Week 2 against the Bills, Gibbs remains an elite running back option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Emerging as Detroit's No. 2 Back
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki only had three touches in Sunday's 31-30 overtime win over New Orleans, but his playing time made the bigger statement. Vaki carried twice for seven yards and caught his only target for 11 more while logging 22 offensive snaps. Jacob Saylors did not play an offensive snap, and Detroit's current depth chart now lists Vaki second behind Jahmyr Gibbs. That matters even more after Isiah Pacheco underwent back surgery and was given an estimated 12-week recovery timeline. Gibbs is still going to dominate this backfield after handling 34 touches in the opener, so Vaki has little immediate starting value. The path behind him is much cleaner than it looked a week ago, though. Vaki still needs to improve after an uneven opener, particularly in pass protection, but he has the first crack at the reserve role while Pacheco is sidelined. He is worth stashing in 14-team PPR leagues and deeper formats before Detroit's backfield hierarchy becomes more settled.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isiah Pacheco Could Return by Early December After Back Surgery
Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (back) underwent surgery to remove a body that was pressing on a nerve in his back, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Pacheco is facing a 12-week recovery, with a chance that he is back from Injured Reserve by early December. The former Kansas City Chiefs RB was dealing with an MCL injury late in training camp before injuring his back while training. There is not much incentive for fantasy managers to hold Pacheco now in an IR spot in redraft leagues. The 27-year-old had 1,765 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 375 carries in his first two seasons with the Chiefs, adding 57 catches for 374 yards and another two TDs as a receiver. But since the start of the 2024 season, Pacheco has dealt with injuries, limiting him to 20 games in his final two years in KC. With Pacheco now out until the final month of the regular season, the Lions could look to add RB depth behind bell-cow back Jahmyr Gibbs. Sione Vaki operated as Detroit's RB2 in Sunday's Week 1 season-opening win over the New Orleans Saints in overtime, but he handled only two rushing attempts for seven yards and caught one pass for 11 yards.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Isiah Pacheco to Miss "Significant Amount of Time" After Back Surgery
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that running back Isiah Pacheco (back) underwent back surgery and that he is going to be out "a significant amount of time," according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. The Lions said last week that they did not have a clear timetable for Pacheco's return after he was placed on Injured Reserve to begin the 2026 season. The 27-year-old will have to miss at least the first four games of the year, but Campbell's statement on Monday means that Pacheco will likely be out for much longer. In the Lions' 31-30 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday in the Week 1 season opener, Sione Vaki served as the RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs and rushed only two times for seven yards, adding a catch on his only target for a gain of 11 yards. In addition to Vaki, Jacob Saylors will provide the Lions with RB depth behind Gibbs for as long Pacheco is sidelined. Pacheco's case for an IR stash is not very strong after two straight injury-plagued seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Lions in free agency back in March. He is now rostered in only 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Jacob Saylors Remains a Stash-Worthy Running Back in Week 1
Entering 2026, Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors appears poised to open the year as his team's RB2 behind superstar back Jahmyr Gibbs. Saylors appeared in 16 games for Detroit in 2025 but saw most of his action on special teams, recording just 11 rushing yards on two carries. However, with Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) on Injured Reserve, Saylors will likely be the one to spell Gibbs when he needs a breather early in the season. In Week 1, Saylors and the Lions will host the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were around league-average as a rush defense in 2025, ranking 19th in total rushing yards allowed (2,050). Still, while Saylors will likely see a few touches and some third-down snaps, he's unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload as long as Gibbs remains healthy. Saylors is worth rostering as a handcuff running back option, but fantasy managers should avoid starting him in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs an Elite Running Back Option in Week 1
Entering 2026, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs was widely viewed as the consensus 1.01 in fantasy drafts. The 24-year-old had a monster year in 2025, recording 1,839 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns on 320 touches across 17 games. Gibbs may be in line for an even larger role in the Lions' offense this season. The team traded away veteran running back David Montgomery over the offseason, and replacement RB2 Isiah Pacheco (knee, back) is on Injured Reserve to open 2026. In Week 1, Gibbs and the Lions will host the New Orleans Saints. The Saints fielded a decent run defense in 2025, allowing the sixth-fewest total rushing touchdowns (12) and ranking 19th in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (2,050). However, New Orleans lost a big piece of its defensive line earlier this summer when defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (knee) went down with a torn ACL. Gibbs should see plenty of touches as both a rusher and a receiver in Week 1 and profiles as a high-end RB1 option for fantasy managers against the Saints.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
