The Detroit Lions have a sudden running back problem that wasn't initially expected. Unfortunately, looking at the landscape of the position creates an interesting dynamic that changes what was initially expected.
Jahmyr Gibbs is obviously the lead guy alongside David Montgomery, but should either one go down with an injury, things become much more complicated.
There are some obvious ways that the organization could improve the roster, though they aren't exclusive to the franchise, and the Lions have to be proactive in order to make the necessary corrections.
Lions RB Issues Put 24-Year-Old Playmaker in Major Trouble
Sione Vaki, a guy who rushed for a limited amount of yards but holds a ton of value as a blocker, is someone worth keeping on the roster. With Gibbs and Montgomery, you need as many players of his mold as you can keep.
Looking at the depth chart, there are limited blocking options. That's what makes Vaki's role all the more important. He can carry a few snaps while providing a fullback-like offensive option, which gives head coach Dan Campbell a chance to deploy creative ways in which to utilize him.
That said, Vaki's limited experience puts him in a tough spot. It's likely that he'll be cut in the coming weeks, largely due to his injury. He was a non-participant during Tuesday's practice, indicating he's a long shot to suit up for Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. If that's the case, Vaki's chances of sticking on the active roster are growing slimmer by the day.
This is a player who could benefit Detroit, but it appears that the franchise doesn't agree. Vaki's blocking ability could be replicated, suggesting that it's not hard to replicate his production. That says nothing negative about him, but speaks more to how easy it is to find blockers.
Unless Vaki can prove himself as either a runner or a pass-catching option, it's hard to see how he sticks with the team. He deserves the opportunity, but this may be his only one. If you see Montgomery fall short on a goal-line rush on Sunday, that could spell the end of Vaki's time in Detroit. If you don't, he just might stick around for another few weeks.
The injury is the most important thing to monitor, and it'll determine if he's a Lion in a month or if he's looking for a new team.