Lions Rely on Committee Behind Gibbs | NFL News

0:00It's September 7th. NFL News today starts now. AI powered in game ready. I'm Cory with the story. So the Detroit Lions are rolling with Jameir Gibbs as their main man at running back. And yeah, he's pulling down the biggest paycheck for that. Position in the whole league, but when you look at who's behind him, it's a little thin. We're talking Cioni Vaki, who's barely touched the ball in his NFL career. And Jacob Sailors, who's also got minimal game experience. That's got some folks raising eyebrows about the depth at that spot. However, head coach Dan Campbell is saying they're not sweating it. He's talking about a running back by committee approach if Gibbs needs a break. He sees both Vaki and Sailors getting reps, not necessarily one as the clear number two. It's about utilizing their strengths, whether that's running, blocking, or even special teams. Campbell highlighted that Vaki, while having fewer game carries, has shown promise and practice and is seen as a valuable asset on special teams.

1:01He believes Vaki is ready to contribute more as a runner, receiver, and in past protection. So, the plan is to feel comfortable with either Vaki or Sailors stepping in when Gibbs needs to catch his breath. With David Montgomery now in Houston, the Lions are definitely planning to give Gibbs a heavier workload than he's handled before. But he won't be out there for every single snap. That means Vaki and Sailors are both looking at an increased role, sharing the load and proving their worth when called upon. It's an interesting strategy, relying on a committee to back up their star running back. The team feels confident in the versatility and readiness of Vaki and Sailors to step up and keep the offense moving when Gibbs is off the field. We'll have to see how this plays out on the field.