The Detroit Lions were one of several teams that opened training camp and hosted their first practice over the weekend.
The biggest storyline from their first training camp practice was the devastating injury news about veteran defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike, who will be out for the 2025 season. Detroit also saw second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw suffer a chest injury after their first practice.
The Lions hope that the injury bug doesn’t show up this season, as it ravaged them throughout last year, and Detroit couldn’t overcome it at the end. On Monday, Detroit saw one of its young playmakers leave practice due to injury, which isn’t what any fans want to hear before the action begins.
Second-Year RB Sione Vaki Sustains Leg Injury During Monday’s Practice
According to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News, second-year running back Sione Vaki departed Monday’s practice with a leg injury.
#Lions RB Sione Vaki left today’s practice with a leg injury.
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) July 21, 2025
Kory Woods of MLive.com added that Vaki was seen earlier in practice working off to the side with trainers.
Early on during practice, Vaki was off to the side working with the training staff. https://t.co/R1h1nsTFLf
— Kory Woods (@KoryEWoods) July 21, 2025
As you can imagine, Lions fans are already on edge about injuries, based on how last season played out. We haven’t heard an update from head coach Dan Campbell, so the hope is that the young running back will be okay, and it's just a minor thing.
Vaki, who was a safety at Utah, was drafted as a running back, and the Lions took a chance on him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He appeared in 16 games (one start), but most of that time was on special teams. However, the former Utah standout had six carries for 14 yards, along with three receptions (three targets) for 37 yards.
The second-year back enters training camp with a chance to unseat Craig Reynolds for the RB3 job. However, it won’t be easy, as Reynolds has become a fan favorite over the years. That said, if Vaki shows continued development in training camp and preseason, it could be an intriguing training camp battle to watch.