Dan Campbell just dropped some serious news, confirming that safety-turned-running back Sione Vaki is set for an increased role on offense in the season opener! With the team running light at the position, this kid, who barely played offense in college, is about to get some significant reps. Forget about him being just a special teams ace; Vaki is stepping into the backfield committee right out of the gate.
The Backfield Is Getting Crowded (But In A Good Way?)
So, the roster only has three running backs right now, and Campbell is straight up telling us they’re using *all* of them against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 13th. Jahmyr Gibbs is obviously the main man, our “bell cow,” no question there. But the real talk is about the backup committee: Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki. Saylors was a preseason standout, running for 100 yards in the exhibition finale against the Indianapolis Colts, and Campbell said he was “comfortable” using Saylors as the primary backup with Isiah Pacheco sidelined due to a back injury. But don’t sleep on Vaki. Campbell specifically said, “I see Vaki getting some reps, too, now. I don’t see like, ‘OK, well Saylors is like running back two.’” This isn’t just Saylors’ show; Vaki is getting involved.
Safety First… Now Running Back Second?
Here’s where it gets wild: Vaki missed the entire preseason! He battled a broken nose in Week 1, back spasms in Week 2, and then was sat for precautionary reasons in Week 3. So we haven’t even *seen* this guy really run the ball in games yet this fall. Compare that to Saylors, who played in the UFL last spring and already has two carries for 11 yards for the team last fall. Vaki, meanwhile, played primarily safety in college and only has seven carries in his first two NFL seasons. But during Pacheco’s absence, Vaki logged serious work in the second half of camp. Campbell is feeling good about his growth, saying, “We feel like Vaki’s ready to take some of this on, too, as a runner and a pass protector. And receiver, so we feel good with either one of those guys in there when Jah needs a breather.” This kid’s versatility is massive, and his special teams value is already well-known.
Who’s Coming Off the Bench? And Who’s Healthy?
The team still has two open spots on the roster, and while Campbell kept his cards close, he mentioned they have “a pretty good idea right now” what they want to do. They’re definitely light at running back (three players), receiver (four), and on the offensive line (eight). We could see some practice squad elevations, maybe even Tom Kennedy for return duties against the Saints. On the injury front, safety Thomas Harper, who’d been out with an ankle injury, is back at practice today, September 7th, and should be good to go. No specific update on Christian Izien’s leg injury, but Campbell feels good about the safety room overall. So, keep an eye on those roster moves, but the big story is Vaki’s unexpected leap into the offense. Get ready to see what he can do!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply