KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Detroit Lions have one of the best running back tandems in the NFL in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, but if rookie Sione Vaki keeps taking advantage of his opportunities the way he has in training camp and the preseason up to this point, the Lions might think about finding a way to get him into the offense in some packages.
After averaging 7.3 yards per carry last week in his NFL debut against the New York Giants, Vaki had another nice showing in Detroit's 24-23 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, touching the ball 10 times (6 rushes, 4 receptions) for 82 yards, including four catches for 60 yards on a 15-play, 83-yard scoring drive right before the end of the half.
"The more you learn about a player and the faster you figure out what they can do, the better off it is for everybody," head coach Dan Campbell said of Vaki after the game. "We already felt like this kid is going to have the ability to play special teams. So now it's like, 'Well, can you use him on offense? Is there a place?'
"He's a lot further along in that (passing) part of the game than he is just carrying the football and a lot of that is just he hasn't done it."
Vaki had just 42 carries and 11 receptions after switching from safety to running back at Utah, but the Lions loved what they saw in those limited reps and knew he would be a little bit of a development project with a really high ceiling. That's how it's playing out so far, and the Lions are excited about his development at running back and his immediate contributions on special teams.
He took four dump-down passes in that 15-play drive at the end of the second quarter and turned them into chunk plays. That's a huge asset to have in an offense like Detroit's that is great at creating open space for players.
"He's amazing," quarterback Hendon Hooker said of Vaki after the game. "And very smart as well to be a young guy coming in and making plays. You saw some different shifty moves, too. It's very cool to see his growth."
PRESSURE SITUATIONS
Saturday was the second big-time pressure situation kicker Jake Bates found himself in this week.
It turns out Bates, Scott Daly and assistant special teams coach Jett Modkins made the finals of the Lions Fowling tournament earlier this week but lost in a close final.
"We had this Fowling competition and he's in the championship and he makes two critical throws in crunch time and there's something about this kid that's intriguing," Campbell said. "He's got a little bit of confidence to him."
Bates said after kicking a game-winning 43-yard field goal to walk it off for the Lions against the Chiefs, he tries to stay as even-keeled as possible and never gets too high or too low depending on the situation. Fowling included, he joked. He made all four of his field goals against the Chiefs (55, 23, 32, 43) and was 1-for-2 on extra points.
"It feels good to make kicks," Bates said after the game. "Obviously, I can't have that (missed) extra point happen. I can't put our offense in that situation where they have to go for two in the fourth to tie it. So, just keep getting better and never settling is big. But making kicks is always fun."
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preseason Week 2 game at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, August 17 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) and Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) and Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13), Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65), Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), and Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), and Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) and Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) and Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67), Detroit Lions center Bryan Hudson (64), and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mathieu Betts (95) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) and Detroit Lions linebacker Abraham Beauplan (59) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and Detroit Lions linebacker Abraham Beauplan (59) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86), Detroit Lions wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Essang Bassey (17) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) and Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86), Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), and Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
THE MORE YOU CAN DO
Rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams continues to make plays, leading the Lions in receiving for a second preseason game in a row. A lot of those plays Saturday came in the slot, and that's where Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond are going to work come the regular season. What does that mean for Williams after catching six passes for 71 yards in the win over the Chiefs?
"We always put stock in the guys that are making plays," Campbell said of the 5-foot-10, 186-pound Williams. "Now, that's in the slot, that's really where he excels. That's where his game is really suited for. He's made the most of it. Well, can we put him outside? What can he do at Z? Is that a possibility? Can he survive out there?"
Expect the Lions to find that out over the next two weeks. Williams has done good with every other challenge so far.
EXTRA POINT
Left tackle Dan Skipper suffered an ankle injury Saturday, but Campbell said after the game he doesn't think it's serious. Wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith could be out for a while after suffering a hand injury, per Campbell.
