Who Should I Start? Sione Vaki or Frank Gore Jr.

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.

Monday, October 14, 6:10 PM

The Buffalo Bills elevated rookie running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster for Monday night's divisional showdown against the New York Jets. This could be a sign that James Cook (toe), who was listed as questionable to play in Week 6, may not be available to play on Monday night. But the Bills could also be electing for extra backfield depth behind Cook, Ty Johnson and rookie Ray Davis. Fantasy managers should know Cook's official status for Monday's primetime contest in another hour. The 22-year-old Gore hasn't played at all through the first five weeks of his rookie season in the NFL after going undrafted out of Southern Miss. At best, Gore could see some short-yardage work for Buffalo whenever he makes his NFL debut, but he can be ignored in all single-year fantasy formats for the time being.