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Sione Vaki Worth Adds in Deep League Before Week 10
Detroit running back Sione Vaki has factored in enough over the past few games to emerge as a possible waiver wire add in very deep fantasy leagues. He has 30 rushing attempts on the season, with 14 of those coming over the past two contests. Vaki has seven receptions over eight targets this season, with three targets and catches over the past two games. He has racked up only 135 rushing yards and 64 receiving yards, but he's starting to get enough work to be a possible streaming option in very deep leagues. His Week 10 matchup against the Patriots is a tougher one though, so he's likely to be skipped outside very deep fantasy setups. He's one to remember if Jahmyr Gibbs ever were to be injured or out.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sione Vaki Tough to Trust in Week 9 Despite Growing Role in Detroit
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has seen minimal usage for most of the 2026 season to this point. However, the 25-year-old is coming off his best game of the year in Week 8, recording 11 carries for 65 yards against a very tough Minnesota Vikings defense. As long as star Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs remains healthy, Vaki's production season is capped. Still, Gibbs has recorded an NFL-leading 191 touches in seven games. To keep Gibbs healthy throughout the season, Detroit may be coming to the realization that Vaki needs to be more involved. The Lions may look to lean on the run game in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins, although Miami's defense currently ranks 10th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (3.8). Vaki should not be trusted as a fantasy starter yet, but he's worth monitoring in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Remains an Elite Running Back Option in Week 9
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has put together an excellent 2026 season so far, recording 773 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 157 carries and hauling in 34 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns on 44 targets. Gibbs leads the NFL with 191 total touches, and he's logged at least 25 touches in five out of his seven games played. The Lions got RB2 Sione Vaki more involved in Week 8, as Vaki recorded a season-high 11 carries against the Minnesota Vikings. However, Gibbs still saw 23 carries and four targets as a receiver out of the backfield. In Week 9, Gibbs and the Lions will take on a Miami Dolphins defense that has been solid against the run, ranking 10th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (3.8). Still, Gibbs profiles as a high-end RB1 option in Week 9 for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Emerging as Intriguing Handcuff Option
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki carried the ball 11 times for 65 yards and caught one pass for five yards in Sunday's 19-15 win over Minnesota. Vaki had totaled just 56 rushing yards on 16 carries entering Week 8. His performance drew praise from head coach Dan Campbell, who said Vaki had earned more trust from the coaching staff. Jahmyr Gibbs remains Detroit's lead back after rushing for 153 yards Sunday, but Vaki could see additional opportunities moving forward. RotoBaller ranks Vaki RB62 for Week 9 against Miami, making him a worthwhile handcuff stash rather than a dependable fantasy starter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Posts Best Efficiency Numbers of the Season
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 23 carries, 153 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Sunday's Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He also caught two of his four targets for an additional 15 receiving yards. Interestingly, this was Gibbs' lowest catch and receiving yard totals of the season. However, that's a testament to just how elite he has been in the passing game this year. Although his receiving workload was scaled back Sunday, Gibbs made a huge impact in the rushing game. Despite facing a top-tier Vikings run defense, the 24-year-old running back averaged 6.7 yards per carry, which is his highest single-game mark of the season. He will remain the undisputed overall RB1 heading into next week's lopsided matchup against the 1-6 Miami Dolphins, who just allowed 120 rushing yards to the duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sione Vaki Unlikely to See Significant Workload in Week 8
Despite holding his team's RB2 role, Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has played a minimal role on offense in 2026. Across six games, the 25-year-old has recorded 108 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches. The Lions have leaned very heavily on star RB1 Jahmyr Gibbs, leaving very little opportunity for Vaki to rack up fantasy-relevant production. Gibbs missed practice on Wednesday of this week with a shoulder injury, but he returned to full participation on both Thursday and Friday and is off the injury report heading into Detroit's Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Vaki may see a few extra touches if Gibbs is battling a minor injury, but Minnesota has been one of the best defenses in football in 2026 and enters Week 8 ranked third in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (587). All in all, Vaki should not be in starting consideration for fantasy managers on Sunday against the Vikings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs a Must-Start Running Back in Week 8
Through his first six games played this season, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has combined productivity with a massive workload. The 24-year-old has rushed for 620 yards and seven touchdowns on 134 carries and also hauled in 32 catches for 270 yards and two scores on 40 targets. Gibbs has a very tough matchup in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota's defense enters the week ranked third in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (587) and has allowed just three rushing touchdowns in six games. However, Gibbs has topped 30 touches in each of his last two contests and has recorded at least 27 touches in four out of Detroit's six games. As long as he continues to see that type of volume, Gibbs should have a good chance to produce like a high-end running back for fantasy managers in Week 8.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs is Ready to Go for Week 8
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (shoulder) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbs was absent from practice on Wednesday, but he has been cleared to play after getting in back-to-back full practice sessions. Fantasy managers should expect Gibbs to continue getting his workhorse workload and shouldn't be worried about this shoulder problem impacting his performance. The Vikings rank as the 10th-best run defense, and they've only allowed three touchdowns on the ground this season. It's not an ideal matchup for Gibbs, but he's the best running back in the league, so he's obviously a must-start every week.
Source: Lions Injury Report
Source: Lions Injury Report
Isiah Pacheco Has a Chance of Returning in 2026
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (back) has not played a game since signing a one-year deal in the offseason, but head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Friday that "there's a chance" he could be back in late December. Pacheco, who ran for 462 yards in his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs, is currently on Injured Reserve after undergoing back surgery in mid-September. A late-December return would fall in line with his initially projected recovery timeline of 12-14 weeks. Signed to serve as a backup to three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs, Pacheco's absence has left the Lions to lean on third-year player Sione Vaki to occasionally spell Gibbs, who has handled an 89.3% running back rush share on the way to his current RB1 standing.
Source: Nolan Bianchi
Source: Nolan Bianchi
Jahmyr Gibbs Returns to Practice on Thursday
The Detroit Lions got some good news on Thursday, with starting running back Jahmyr Gibbs (shoulder) returning to practice after he did not suit up on Wednesday, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. The Lions most likely gave Gibbs a rest day in their first practice of the week. Now that the 24-year-old is back on the field a day later, he should be just fine to play in Week 8 in a divisional clash against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Gibbs, who was the No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy football leagues this year, has lived up to expectations and is currently the top overall RB in half-PPR scoring with 620 rushing yards on 134 carries for seven touchdowns, adding 32 receptions on 40 targets for 270 yards and another two scores as a receiver. The former 12th overall pick from Alabama will be going for his third straight 100-yard rushing game this weekend, but the sledding will be tough against one of the top defenses in football. Gibbs should still be a set-and-forget RB in all fantasy lineups in Week 8.
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Source: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
Jahmyr Gibbs Misses Practice on Wednesday with a Shoulder Injury
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. The severity of Gibbs' injury is not yet clear, but it appears as though the star running back could be in danger of missing Detroit's Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbs has been one of the better running backs in football so far this season, recording 134 carries for 620 yards and seven touchdowns, and 32 catches for 270 yards and two scores on 40 targets across six games. However, the 24-year-old has also taken on a massive workload, recording an NFL-leading 166 touches despite Detroit already having its bye week. The Lions could simply be playing it safe with Gibbs early in the week, or the fourth-year back could be feeling the effects of his team's heavy reliance on him as both a rusher and a receiver. If Gibbs were inactive against Minnesota, Lions backs Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors would likely handle the team's backfield work.
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Source: The Detroit News - Nolan Bianchi
Jahmyr Gibbs Avoids Injury Late in Week 7 Win Over Packers
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs did not find the end zone in Sunday's 20-17 win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers in Week 7, but he still did plenty for his fantasy managers, carrying the ball a whopping 29 times for 116 yards while catching five of his six targets for 27 yards. Gibbs did lose a fumble, and he looked like he might have tweaked something when going down in bounds late in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning field goal. However, the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett reports that Gibbs was fine after the game and avoided an injury when he went down to the turf awkwardly in Detroit. The 24-year-old former 12th overall pick from Alabama has been advertised in 2026 as one of the best all-around RBs in the game. Sunday was the first time this year that Gibbs has not found the end zone, but he has 100-plus scrimmage yards in five of six games and entered Week 7 with a league-high nine touchdowns. Gibbs will have his toughest matchup of the season next week against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, who have not lost, but he will still be a must-start in all fantasy football leagues with an elite volume share as Detroit's best offensive weapon.
Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett
Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett
Sione Vaki Remains Tough to Trust in Week 7
Across five games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has recorded 103 yards from scrimmage on 19 touches. Vaki has operated as the clear RB2 in Detroit, but star Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has absolutely dominated the team's backfield work this season. In Week 7, the Lions will host the Green Bay Packers in what could be a high-scoring, uptempo affair. While that could help Vaki get on the field a bit more, Gibbs remains healthy heading into the game and will likely be the focal point of Detroit's game plan on offense. Vaki remains a worthy stash as a handcuff in deeper fantasy leagues, but he should not be in starting consideration for managers in Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Could Be Poised for Huge Workload in Week 7
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been extremely productive through five games so far this season, recording 504 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 105 carries and adding 27 catches for 243 yards and two scores on 34 targets out of the backfield. Gibbs has been the focal point of Detroit's offense in just about every game, averaging 26.4 touches per contest. In Week 7, Detroit will host the Green Bay Packers in a game that is projected to be a high-scoring affair. Green Bay has been a mid-pack defense against the run, ranking 18th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.0). However, the Packers also rank 31st in total rushing touchdowns allowed (nine). Gibbs should see plenty of work as both a rusher and a receiver against Green Bay, which gives him an excellent chance to both rack up yards from scrimmage and get in the end zone. Gibbs remains an elite RB1 option for fantasy managers in Week 7.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Tops 200 Scrimmage Yards in Win Over Arizona
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs logged 25 carries, 151 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also caught five of his six targets for an additional 56 receiving yards. Gibbs tallied over 200 scrimmage yards in the effort, solidifying his status as the overall RB1 in PPR leagues. In total, he is up to 747 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns through just five games this season. The 24-year-old was a popular No. 1 pick in 2026 redraft leagues, and he's absolutely living up to the hype. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Gibbs is heading into a bye week, but he'll return to action in Week 7 as a must-start RB1 against the Green Bay Packers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
