Jacob Saylors

Jacob Saylors News

Jacob Saylors Remains a Stash-Worthy Running Back in Week 1

Entering 2026, Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors appears poised to open the year as his team's RB2 behind superstar back Jahmyr Gibbs. Saylors appeared in 16 games for Detroit in 2025 but saw most of his action on special teams, recording just 11 rushing yards on two carries. However, with Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) on Injured Reserve, Saylors will likely be the one to spell Gibbs when he needs a breather early in the season. In Week 1, Saylors and the Lions will host the New Orleans Saints. The Saints were around league-average as a rush defense in 2025, ranking 19th in total rushing yards allowed (2,050). Still, while Saylors will likely see a few touches and some third-down snaps, he's unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload as long as Gibbs remains healthy. Saylors is worth rostering as a handcuff running back option, but fantasy managers should avoid starting him in Week 1.

Sep 12, 2026 6:09 AM EST

Jacob Saylors Providing Waiver Wire Value as Handcuff to Gibbs

Fourth-year running back out of East Tennessee State, Jacob Saylors, is in line to potentially back up one of the best running backs in the game and the consensus No. 1 fantasy running back, Jahmyr Gibbs. Important to note that head coach Dan Campbell did come out Monday and said that the team's RB2 role behind starter Gibbs will be by committee, according to Brad Galli; however, Saylors is listed as the team's RB2 on the depth chart, and with how potent this Lions offense is, that makes him a valuable bench option on the off chance Gibbs goes down with an injury. Saylors went undrafted in 2023 and has two career rushing attempts in the NFL, so he is truly a handcuff option for the Lions, with no standalone value to start the season. The Lions' former RB2, David Montgomery, was picked up by the Houston Texans during the offseason, opening the door for the 25-year-old. Fantasy managers looking to stash a handcuff should be looking in Saylor's direction.

Sep 8, 2026 6:51 PM EST

Jacob Saylors has Earned the Trust of the Coaching Staff

Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors runs hard and "has earned the trust of the coaching staff" for his play on offense and special teams during training camp, according to Tim Twentyman of the team's official website. Saylors led the team in total scrimmage yards during the preseason (31 carries for 187 yards and five catches for 40 yards) and could be in the mix to return kicks on special teams if he is active on game days. The chances of Saylors being active for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season went way up when the Lions placed Isiah Pacheco (back) on Injured Reserve to start the year. All-Pro RB Jahmyr Gibbs will handle the lion's share of backfield work, but Saylors could open his second year in the NFL as the No. 2 over Sione Vaki. The former undrafted free agent out of East Carolina appeared in 16 games for the Lions as a rookie in 2025, but he only had two carries for 11 yards on offense. Even with an elevated role to open his sophomore campaign, Saylors is only in consideration as a handcuff option for Gibbs in deeper leagues.

Sep 5, 2026 8:33 AM EST

Lions Comfortable with Jacob Saylors as the No. 2 Running Back

Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors has carried the ball only twice since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but he could open the season as the team's primary backup behind three-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs. After trading away veteran David Montgomery, the Lions signed Isiah Pacheco (back, knee) to a one-year free agent deal, but with the former Chief dealing with back and knee injuries and his Week 1 availability up in the air, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Saturday that he'd be comfortable playing Saylors in that role if necessary, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "I'm comfortable with those guys. And I just like the thought of having a guy in our system, think that's important. Knows our terminology, knows our guys, knows the protections. Just kind of knows it all, man. Understands our quarterback and how he thinks. I just think that's important." Saylors, who has seen the Lions' heaviest running back rush share in each of the past two preseasons, ran for 100 yards on 17 carries in Saturday's 25-16 win over the Colts, and he is now a player to pay attention to as a potentially critical handcuff to begin the 2026 season.

Aug 30, 2026 6:00 AM EST

Jacob Saylors Shines in Preseason Finale, Competing for RB2 Role in Detroit?

Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors impressed in his team's preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, recording 17 carries for 100 yards and two catches for 12 yards on four targets. Saylors appeared in 16 games for Detroit in 2025, but he recorded just two carries on the season. Entering 2026, star Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is firmly atop the team's depth chart at the position. However, RB2 favorite Isiah Pacheco's (back, knee) availability for the start of the season is currently in question as he battles back and knee injuries. As a result, Saylors looks to be competing with Sione Vaki and Trayveon Williams for an early-season role in the Detroit backfield. Saylors helped his case with a strong performance in the preseason, rushing for 187 yards on 31 carries across three games played. In deeper leagues, Saylors could be worth rostering until more is known about Pacheco's health.

Aug 29, 2026 5:13 PM EST

Jacob Saylors Leads Lions' Rushing Attack on Thursday

Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors led his team's ground attack in preseason action against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, rushing for 55 yards on eight carries while also logging three catches for 28 yards on five targets. Saylors appeared in 16 games for the Lions in 2025, but his impact mostly came on special teams, as he recorded just two carries for 11 yards. Entering 2026, Detroit has running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco locked in at the top of their depth chart. However, Saylors could be leading the team's RB3 competition, which also features Sione Vaki (nose), Kye Robichaux, and Raheem Blackshear. As long as Gibbs and Pacheco are healthy, Saylors is highly unlikely to play a fantasy-relevant role in Detroit. Still, he could be a name to know in deeper leagues in case one of the two top Lions backs suffers an injury.

Aug 14, 2026 7:07 AM EST

Jacob Saylors Leads Lions in Rushing on Saturday

Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors recorded nine carries for 32 yards and three receptions for 27 yards in preseason action on Saturday against the Houston Texans. The 24-year-old is a long shot to make the team, but he saw an increased workload in the preseason finale with Detroit's presumed RB4 Sione Vaki (undisclosed) sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Saylors finishes the preseason with 164 yards from scrimmage on 40 total touches. If Vaki's injury leads him to miss the start of the regular season, Saylors could find his way onto the Lions' 53-man roster. Still, he's unlikely to be fantasy-relevant in 2025.

Aug 24, 2025 9:08 AM EST