Topic overview
In brief
- Sione Vaki suffered a broken nose and an eye injury during a training camp practice.
- The injury occurred due to a teammate's hand penetrating his face mask.
- Vaki's injury complicates the Lions' running back situation as they prepare for the new season.
Summary
In the United States, during a training camp practice for the Detroit Lions, running back Sione Vaki sustained a serious injury that will keep him sidelined for an extended period. The incident occurred on a Monday when Vaki, a third-year player, was involved in a routine practice drill. Head coach Dan Campbell reported that Vaki suffered a broken nose after a teammate's hand accidentally penetrated his face mask. Additionally, Vaki was poked in the eye during the same incident, which Campbell described as 'unbelievable.'
The injury is particularly unfortunate for Vaki, who was looking to make a significant impact this season. At 25 years old, he was drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after a successful college career with the Utah Utes, where he excelled as a two-way player. In his first two NFL seasons, Vaki primarily contributed on special teams due to limited opportunities behind established running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. With Gibbs currently holding out for a new contract and Montgomery having moved to the Houston Texans, Vaki was poised to showcase his skills and earn a more prominent role in the Lions' offense.