Just because the Detroit Lions have the best running back in football doesn’t mean they should wear him to the ground every week. That might work for a while, but not for a full season, and definitely not for years.
That’s why watching Sione Vaki get some sort of run in Week 3, after not being much of a factor in the first two games of the week, was such a breath of fresh air. This team needs someone to take the edge off Jahmyr Gibbs.
While Vaki hasn’t always done himself many favors when given a chance, he’s the best — and honestly, almost the only — choice the Lions have right now. And with a long season ahead of us, they might as well give him some opportunities to earn his bread and butter.
The Detroit Lions must get Sione Vaki going
Jahmyr Gibbs is a superstar, and the only thing that could stop him is his own team. He’s been durable and reliable, but putting all that mileage on his body is a dangerous game to play, especially for a guy used to being in a committee.
Vaki has only played 53 snaps on offense, but it wasn't until Week 3 that they actually put the rock in his hands. Notably, he responded by turning six carries into a respectable 26 rushing yards, also hauling in his lone reception for 11 yards.
He may not be as explosive as Gibbs, but Vaki's hands in the passing game have always been reliable. He used to have a bigger role on special teams because of his twitchiness, and he's shown some of that in a limited capacity so far.
Isiah Pacheco won't make his Lions debut any time soon, and the decision to sign him is looking worse by the day. The Lions could've done better and found someone else to be the Knuckles to Jahmyr Gibbs' Sonic.
But now that they've reached that point and there aren't many viable options on the open market, the Lions should at least trust the guys they have there. A healthy Pacheco probably could've cost Vaki his roster spot, but since he made the team, they might as well use him.
Of course, they should continue to get Gibbs heavily involved, and this will remain his team until proven otherwise, but that type of wear and tear usually ends with the player either missing extensive time or having his career cut short by chronic ailments. He deserves better than that, and the Lions ought to protect him, not hurt him.
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