The top two spots on the Detroit Lions' running back depth chart are spoken for by Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco. After them it's a wide-open battle for what may only be one spot on the 53-man roster, and if it's not one roster spot it'll be two.
Sione Vaki is [clearly valued for](https://sidelionreport.com/sione-vaki-s-return-gives-him-a-major-opportunity-in-lions-backfield-01m0at22tw22) his special teams contributions, but it'd be nice to see what he can do with more of an offensive role in his third season. Jacob Saylors carried a strong early part of camp into the preseason opener, with 83 yards from scrimmage on 11 touches against the Cincinnati Bengals
Vaki has been ramping back up in practice after missing time when he got poked in the eye and suffered a broken nose. Theoretically he could have, or arguably even should have, played in the second preseason game against the Washington Commanders. He was not seen during pregame warmups, though, and did not suit up.
Trayveon Williams fully seized his first opportunity to steal the Lions' RB3 role
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[On Aug. 16](https://x.com/Lions/status/2088997269328584749?s=20), the Lions announced some roster moves. In a running back-for-running back swap, an injured Kyle Robichaux was waived and veteran Trayveon Williams was signed.
Williams was certainly in line for a significant amount of playing time against the Commanders, if only as a metaphorical "camp body" to navigate a preseason game with the Lions' top three running backs out.
If nothing else, he had an opportunity to put some good tape out there for other teams once his Lions' tenure comes to an end.