Who Should I Start? Deuce Vaughn or Sione Vaki

Wednesday, August 13, 7:06 PM

With Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue (heel) still sidelined from Tuesday's training camp practice, it allowed Deuce Vaughn to work with the first-team offense, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. Vaughn had a good day by showing lateral movements to make defenders miss in space. The 23-year-old is slippery in space because of his quickness and size (5-foot-6, 176 pounds), but Vaughn is still fighting an uphill battle to be involved out of Dallas' backfield in 2025. The former sixth-round pick (212th overall) in 2023 out of Kansas State has a combined 40 rushing attempts for 110 yards and no touchdowns while adding 10 receptions for 58 yards in the passing game in his two seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys. At best, he'll open his third season as the RB4 behind Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and Blue.

Monday, July 21, 9:27 PM

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (leg) left practice on Monday with a leg injury and did not return, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. The Lions drafted Vaki out of Utah in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. The 23-year-old mostly played safety in college, but Detroit drafted him as a running back and has been developing him at the position. Stuck behind David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Craig Reynolds in a crowded Lions' backfield, Vaki mostly played special teams as a rookie. He played in 16 games but recorded just six rushing attempts. Vaki is unlikely to be a factor in fantasy this season either way, but a serious injury could impact his long-term outlook. His status will become clearer when Lions head coach Dan Campbell next meets with the media.