Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki sustained a "freak" injury during training camp this week, resulting in a broken nose and an eye injury. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed Tuesday that Vaki will be sidelined for an unspecified period.
"We're hopeful, vision should be okay in time," Campbell told reporters. "We're not gonna have him here today, just gonna let him kind of recover a little bit. So we think he'll be okay. He's just gonna need a minute here. Just one of those freak things, somehow a hand gets through the facemask. It was unbelievable."
Vaki, 25, was drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He spent his first two seasons primarily contributing on special teams but was vying for a more significant offensive role in his third year. With Jahmyr Gibbs currently holding out for a new contract and not participating in practice, Vaki had been receiving first-team repetitions alongside Isiah Pacheco.
In Vaki's absence, Campbell indicated that running backs Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small could see increased opportunities. Pacheco has been taking starter reps during camp due to Gibbs' absence. The Lions also signed veteran running back Raheem Blackshear on Tuesday and held tryouts for other running backs, including former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire.