The Detroit Lions will start the season against the New Orleans Saints without a crucial part of their backfield. Earlier this offseason, they traded running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans. The deal brought the Lions a 2026 fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and center Juice Scruggs.
In March, the Lions signed Isiah Pacheco to a one-year, $1.81 million contract. He was expected to support star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Detroit placed Pacheco on injured reserve due to a back injury. This move sidelines him for at least the first four games of the season. During his initial four years in the league, Pacheco recorded 576 rushing attempts, gaining 2,537 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed comfort with Jacob Saylors stepping in if Pacheco misses time. However, he also remains open to seeking external help to bolster the backfield. Campbell noted the importance of having someone familiar with the team’s system, terminology, and protections. Saylors, an undrafted free agent who joined the league in 2023, played with the Lions in 2025. He appeared in 16 games, making two rushing attempts for 11 yards last season.
Apart from Gibbs and Saylors, Sione Vaki and Jabari Small are also on the Lions’ 53-man roster as running backs.
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