Lions’ Vaki Status Unclear As Detroit Eyes Munich Clash
· Yahoo Sports
The Detroit Lions face a tricky start to their international trip. Sione Vaki, the running back, is questionable for Sunday’s game versus the New England Patriots. He missed practice for the first two days of the week due to an ankle issue. Vaki returned as a limited participant on Friday, but his availability remains a major question mark.
This timing is tough for a team that just found its rhythm. Vaki has been the key change-of-pace back since the team traded away David Montgomery. He also stepped up when Isiah Pacheco suffered a long-term injury. His 65 rushing yards on 11 carries against the Minnesota Vikings proved he could handle the load. If he cannot play, the Lions lose a vital piece of their offensive plan.
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A Trust Built on Hard Work
Head coach Dan Campbell has been very clear about what he expects from his players. After the win over the Vikings, Campbell highlighted Vaki’s growth in a specific way. “Vaki was one of the guys we challenged this week going into this game,” Campbell said following the victory, according to Yahoo Sports. The coach noted that the team needed Vaki to show up and earn his carries.
Quarterback Jared Goff echoed those feelings about the Vaki’s effort. Goff stated that “Vaki ran his tail off” during the game against Minnesota. This hard work gave the starter, Jahmyr Gibbs, the rest he needed on the sideline. The offensive line also appreciated the extra help. They loved the challenge of leaning on Vaki to keep the offense moving.
The Lions need this depth right now. Kerby Joseph, Cade Mays, and D.J. Reed were ruled out due to injury. That trio did not even travel to Germany for the game. Amon-Ra St. Brown was also listed as questionable, though his German heritage makes a missed game feel unlikely. The roster is thin, and every healthy body counts.
Lineup Changes and New Faces
The offense also has to fix issues along the front line. Christian Mahogany was benched last week for breaking team rules, but he is back in the starting lineup. Dan Campbell explained the move on 97.1 The Ticket. “Look, if you say you’re gonna do something, you better hold up to it, otherwise you’re gonna lose respect of the people around you,” Campbell said.
He added that if he made a promise and broke it, he would lose respect for himself. “So we stick by what we say we’re gonna do here,” the coach continued. Miles Frazier filled in at left guard and struggled against the Miami Dolphins. Campbell acknowledged that the line required time to get their act together. “It just took a minute to tighten some of that up,” Campbell said, according to Yahoo Sports.
Defensively, the team brought in Jets safety Andre Cisco to add depth. Campbell liked Cisco’s skill set from the start. “We liked Cisco from afar. He’s athletic. He’s versatile. He knows our system. He knows the verbiage. So, we feel like he’s a guy who can help us here. We’re excited,” Campbell said. Campbell’s comment shows the front office is ready to adapt before the deadline.
On Sunday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. ET, the Lions will play the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany.