Which Lions RB will get the majority of Isiah Pacheco’s snaps?

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), hands the ball to running back Sione Vaki (33) at practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Thursday, July 30, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

Throughout the offseason, SB Nation will host NFL fan surveys, sponsored byFanDuel Sportsbook. For Pride of Detroit, we are tasked with fielding questions from Detroit Lions fans, and this week's question focuses on which running back will add more offensive snaps to their responsibilities now that Isiah Pacheco has been placed on injured reserve.

While general manager Brad Holmes said the team is hopeful to get Pacheco back this season, losing the veteran running back for at least four games could be a big blow to the Lions' depth. Fortunately, the Lions have improved options at the RB3 and RB4 spots, but they'll need someone to pick up the slack and take on some RB2 duties.

Wth four other running backs on the roster, who will get the majority of Pacheco's snaps?

Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to be the Lions' bell cow" running back this season, and he could easily be the first option to absorb more snaps. He is by far the most dynamic option of the group and would give the Lions the best chance to win whenever he is on the field. The Lions will need to give him some rest, but there's still a world in which he gets even more reps than expected.

Sione Vaki has gotten a lot of hate this offseason, but I believe a lot of that is because fans haven't gotten a chance to see him play running back due to recent injuries and coaches' decisions to keep him out of preseason games. However, there is one thing that has been crystal clear: ever since Pacheco was injured, it's been Vaki who has taken the majority, if not all, of the RB2 reps in training camp practices.

Jacob Saylors has been a great success story this preseason. With Gibbs, Pacheco, and Vaki not playing in the preseason, Saylors has started each game and performed very well. He's looked decisive in his reads, strong through the hole, executed subtle moves to shake into space, and had the power to finish runs. His balanced skill set and reliability could elevate him into an RB2 role to start the season.

Jabari Small is the wild card of the group because he was on the roster when the poll was published, but was waived during the voting process. There's still a chance he could be elevated for a game or three, but the chances of him making a significant impact have been dramatically reduced. That said, Small had a very nice training camp, and when on the field (he was injured in all three preseason games), he's shown well. It's also worth mentioning that coach Dan Campbell noted that he and Saylors were neck-and-neck in their competition for a depth role all camp.

So, in your opinion, which running back will get the majority of Pacheco's reps? Vote inTHE FEED surveybelow, sound off in the comments, and then make sure to check back with Pride of Detroit later in the week for the results.

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