RADIO
Jahmyr Gibbs Should Continue to Excel on a Large Workload
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as a superstar in the NFL, ranking as a top-three fantasy running back in each of the last two seasons. The Lions' backfield looks a little different this year now that Isiah Pacheco has replaced David Montgomery, but the vision for Gibbs should look pretty similar. He remains the undisputed lead back, offering a spectacular ability to run the ball, catch passes, score touchdowns, and even block a little. Pacheco should mix in on short-yardage opportunities, but it's worth noting that Montgomery did the same in Detroit, and Gibbs still scored 38 touchdowns over the last two years. In other words, we're not worried at all about Pacheco's presence. In fact, it could help Gibbs over the long run, as it keeps him fresh and healthy for the full 17-game span. He hasn't missed a single regular-season game since his rookie season in 2023. The University of Alabama product ranks as the RB1 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for 2026, ahead of even Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lions Taking a Look at Kareem Hunt
Free-agent running back Kareem Hunt visited with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter. Hunt remains unsigned after spending the past two seasons back in Kansas City, where he carried 163 times for 611 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. He also caught 18 passes for 143 yards and another score. Detroit already has Jahmyr Gibbs at the top of the backfield and signed Isiah Pacheco this offseason, though Pacheco is currently working his way back from a sprained MCL. The Lions have dealt with some additional injuries at running back throughout August as well, giving them reason to keep looking at available options. Hunt would add an experienced runner with a recent track record around the goal line if Detroit decides to sign him. For now, though, this was only a visit, and there is no deal in place.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Trayveon Williams Leads Lions Backfield in Preseason Action on Saturday
Detroit Lions running back Trayveon Williams saw heavy usage in his team's second preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, recording 10 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown. The 28-year-old also logged a 24-yard reception on his only target out of the backfield. Across seven games split between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns in 2025, Williams recorded 91 scrimmage yards on 18 touches. The veteran back has played seven NFL seasons but has done most of his work on special teams, failing to reach 100 yards from scrimmage in all but one campaign. Still, Williams may have a chance to make the Lions' roster out of training camp. Detroit has superstar back Jahmyr Gibbs atop its running back depth chart, but reserve backs Isiah Pacheco (knee) and Sione Vaki (back) are both currently dealing with injuries. It's too early for fantasy managers to add Williams yet, but he could end up being a name to monitor as a handcuff option for Gibbs.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Isiah Pacheco Will Not Practice Next Week
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will not practice this week, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain during last week's practice, and it reportedly won't affect his Week 1 status. However, with Pacheco's injury and Jacob Saylors (ankle) dealing with a minor injury, the team signed running back Trayveon Williams to a one-year contract. If this knee sprain lingers as the season approaches, Pacheco could lose reps to star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has proven he can be a full workhorse back. Fantasy managers of Gibbs and Pacheco should monitor the former Kansas City Chiefs back's status closely, since missed time could impact both players in fantasy.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Jahmyr Gibbs to See Heavy Workload Early in Season?
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs could see a heavy workload early in the season due to backup Isiah Pacheco's injury. Gibbs recorded over 1,800 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, though he lost significant snaps to running back David Montgomery, who will start in Houston this season. The team signed former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who was expected to spell Gibbs in 2026. However, Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in practice last week, which could affect his Week 1 status. Even if Pacheco is active in Week 1, he is losing valuable practice reps and may need to be eased in. When Montgomery missed time in Detroit, Gibbs averaged 22.7 attempts per game, 143 scrimmage yards, and 10 touchdowns over seven games. In one of the league's most potent offenses, Gibbs is the favorite to be the first-overall pick in fantasy drafts this season.
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Source: Jeremy Reisman - Pride of Detroit
Jacob Saylors Leads Lions' Rushing Attack on Thursday
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors led his team's ground attack in preseason action against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, rushing for 55 yards on eight carries while also logging three catches for 28 yards on five targets. Saylors appeared in 16 games for the Lions in 2025, but his impact mostly came on special teams, as he recorded just two carries for 11 yards. Entering 2026, Detroit has running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco locked in at the top of their depth chart. However, Saylors could be leading the team's RB3 competition, which also features Sione Vaki (nose), Kye Robichaux, and Raheem Blackshear. As long as Gibbs and Pacheco are healthy, Saylors is highly unlikely to play a fantasy-relevant role in Detroit. Still, he could be a name to know in deeper leagues in case one of the two top Lions backs suffers an injury.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Isiah Pacheco Has MCL Sprain, Should Be Ready for Week 1
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) is dealing with a sprained MCL, but head coach Dan Campbell told the media that the team still feels good about his Week 1 availability, according to beat writer Nolan Bianchi. Pacheco signed a one-year deal in the offseason but having now missed a string of training camp practices, the Lions have leaned on third-year back Sione Vaki to handle an expanded workload as three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs ramps back up from an early training camp hold-in that resulted in him becoming the league's highest paid running back. After splitting the backfield with David Montgomery for his first three seasons, Gibbs is expected to handle close to a bell cow role in 2026, limiting Pacheco's standalone value but making him one of fantasy's most important handcuff backs and a player who can generally be found in the closing rounds of drafts as RotoBaller's RB44.
Source: Nolan Bianchi
Source: Nolan Bianchi
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions Agree on Three-Year, $67.5 Million Deal
Three-time Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit Lions agreed on Thursday on a three-year, $67.5 million deal that could be worth up to $75.75 million and includes $51.5 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal makes Gibbs the league's highest-paid running back after the Atlanta Falcons just signed star RB Bijan Robinson to a three-year extension worth $66.75 million on Tuesday. The 24-year-old former 12th overall pick in 2023 from the University of Alabama is well-deserving of the massive contract, having produced a whopping 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on 675 carries for the Lions in his first three years in the NFL. Gibbs has also lit up box scores as a receiver, catching 181 of 228 targets for 1,449 receiving yards and another 10 touchdowns as a pass-catcher. In an offense in Detroit that hasn't changed all that much under head coach Dan Campbell, Gibbs will continue to be the focal point on the ground and through the air, which makes him the most obvious choice as the No. 1 overall fantasy football pick in 2026.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions Expected to Finalize a Deal Soon
The Detroit Lions and star running back Jahmyr Gibbs continue to work on a new deal in training camp that is expected to be finalized soon, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Gibbs should be the third RB domino to fall this summer after both Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor signed with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts, respectively, over the last 48 hours. Gibbs, who has also been dealing with a tight back, made an appearance at practice on Thursday. NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports that the two sides could be closing in on a new three-year deal that would make the 24-year-old dual-threat back the highest-paid RB in the league. A deal could be completed as early as Thursday, which would be great news for the Lions, as they'd get the best all-around RB back on the field. Despite his hold-in to start camp, the former 12th overall pick from the University of Alabama should be the top player off the board in most fantasy football drafts after another 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 to go with 18 total touchdowns (13 rushing, five receiving) in 17 starts.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Source: Sports Illustrated - Albert Breer
Jahmyr Gibbs Working with Trainer on Side Field
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs took part in a walk-through and team stretch on Thursday morning before moving to a side field to work with a trainer. One week into Lions training camp, the three-time Pro Bowler has yet to take part in practice as he awaits a long-term contract extension. High-profile running backs Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor both agreed to new extensions this week, so it's possible a new deal for Gibbs could be close, but until he puts ink to paper, it's unlikely he'll take part in any drills. After sharing a backfield with David Montgomery for his first three seasons, the veteran's trade to the Texans has presented Gibbs with the opportunity to handle close to a bell cow role, and he is RotoBaller's RB1 for 2026. With training camp approaching its halfway point, fantasy managers will want to see him on the field as soon as possible to avoid carrying any rust or added injury risk into the Lions' regular season opener on September 13.
Source: Dave Birkett
Source: Dave Birkett
Jahmyr Gibbs' Negotiations Won't be Affected by Recent RB Deal
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that running back Bijan Robinson's record-setting deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday is "certainly not gonna hurt" the team's own negotiations with star RB Jahmyr Gibbs, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Robinson and Atlanta agreed to a three-year extension that includes $51 million guaranteed. Gibbs, who is also managing a tight back, continues to hold in during training camp until he gets a new deal. He missed a fifth straight practice on Monday, but as long as the three-time Pro Bowler and the Lions reach a deal sooner rather than later, fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned about taking the elite dual-threat back as the No. 1 overall pick in drafts this fall. Gibbs told a reporter on Monday that "only time will tell" when he returns to the field this summer. When asked whether he needs a new deal before returning to the field, Gibbs said, "It's not about that," but he refused to elaborate. Eventually, Gibbs should become the NFL's highest-paid RB after holding the record for most touchdowns scored (49) in a player's first three seasons in the league.
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
Jahmyr Gibbs Still Not Practicing at Lions Camp
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (back) was present for Monday's practice but remained out of uniform, leaving him without a practice appearance through the team's first five camp sessions, according to The Detroit News. His absence has been linked to contract talks, though Gibbs denied that he needs a new deal before returning to the field. Asked when he might practice, Gibbs said, "Only time will tell." The 24-year-old became eligible for an extension this offseason and is under contract through 2027 after Detroit exercised his fifth-year option. Gibbs is coming off a 2025 season in which he totaled 1,839 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns while catching 77 passes. Five missed practices in early August are not enough to change his standing near the top of fantasy drafts, but the lack of a clear explanation makes the situation worth watching until he returns.
Source: The Detroit News
Source: The Detroit News
Lions Don't Seem to be Very Active in Contract Talks With Jahmyr Gibbs
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Detroit Lions don't seem to be as active in contract-extension talks with running back Jahmyr Gibbs (back) as the Atlanta Falcons are with their star RB, Bijan Robinson. Similar to Robinson, Gibbs is currently holding in at training camp this summer as he seeks a new contract and has yet to practice with the Lions. Rapoport says he would not be surprised if Gibbs continues to sit out of practices until there is some "real significant progress" towards a new deal. Although Gibbs has reportedly been dealing with a back injury early in camp, the 24-year-old passed a physical and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. When the Lions reach a new contract with Gibbs, it could make him the highest-paid RB in the league. The former 12th overall pick in 2023 from the University of Alabama is an elite dual threat at his position, racking up 3,580 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns while adding 181 receptions for 1,449 yards and another 10 touchdowns as a receiver in his first three NFL seasons in Detroit. Gibbs is RotoBaller's No. 1 overall fantasy player in 2026, and that shouldn't change because of his current hold-in.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki Splitting First-Team Reps
With an unexpected absence at the top of the depth chart, Detroit Lions running backs Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki have been splitting first-team reps in the early days of training camp. Three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs has not been practicing as he seeks a long-term contract extension, and head coach Dan Campbell is taking advantage of an opportunity to load his other backs up with valuable work. Pacheco signed a one-year deal this offseason and is expected to handle parts of the vacated David Montgomery role, while Vaki enters his third season with the team after Detroit spent a fourth-round pick on him following a collegiate career in which he played predominantly on the defensive side of the ball. While Campbell has expressed confidence that an extension with Gibbs will get done, he is not overlooking the situation in front of him and is using it to prepare both players for any unexpected call to action over the course of a long 17-game season.
Source: Benjamin Raven
Source: Benjamin Raven
Jahmyr Gibbs Dealing With a Back Issue
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he's "not even sweating it" when discussing running back Jahmyr Gibbs' hold-in as he seeks a contract extension early in training camp, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Gibbs completed a conditioning test on Wednesday, in which Campbell said he "had a little bit of a back" issue, so it's unclear if the star RB will start practicing with the team right away once he inks a new deal. The 24-year-old's back injury might not be all that serious, but it's definitely something that we will keep a close eye on as camp rolls on. Fantasy managers probably have nothing to worry about right now with Gibbs' back injury and his hold-in, but the longer it lasts, the more concerning it will become for a player who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 1 overall fantasy RB. He has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three NFL seasons after Detroit took him 12th overall from the University of Alabama in 2023. Gibbs' production speaks for itself, as he's racked up an incredible 3,580 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 181 receptions for 1,449 yards and another 10 scores as a receiver in 49 regular-season games. He's in his prime in an up-tempo, high-scoring offense as the best dual-threat back in the league.
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
