Sione Vaki has burst on the scene for the Detroit Lions this preseason, showing many impressive traits as he truly learns the running back position.
In the second preseason game against the Chiefs, Vaki had 82 yards from scrimmage, highlighted by four receptions for 60 yards where he showed surprising prowess as a pass catcher.
During the first quarter, Vaki somehow completely lost his face mask. The photo of the event quickly went viral for its pure absurdity, as Vaki looked like a throwback player.
Lol pic.twitter.com/DBuJKTSo43
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 17, 2024
Of course, Dan Campbell had thoughts about the play. The coach, who bases much of his message around grit, couldn't even believe that a face mask was capable of popping off in 2024 much less that Vaki was forced to go with the look.
"At one point, his whole face mask just gets ripped off, which I don't even know how that's possible. Like, what kind of equipment are we (using)? I mean, we're in the NFL. But, it's just laying on the ground."
Campbell is right. In a league that places so much emphasis on safety, how does a face mask just fly off ? Nevertheless, it's likely to become Vaki's new calling card.
Dan Campbell hints Sione Vaki might have bigger role than expected
All kidding aside, Campbell appreciates what Vaki has brought to the table at running back for the Lions. Slowly but surely, the fourth-round pick has forced his way into the discussion for a bigger role this fall.
"I would say the more you learn about a player and the faster you figure out what they can do, the better off it is for everybody because we already felt like this kid's going to have the ability to play special teams, so now it's like, 'can you use them on offense? Is there a play?' So yeah, he's a lot further along in that part of the game than he is just carrying the football, and a lot of that is because he really hasn't done it. Taking the carries, the vision of the play, the cuts, the reads, all of that. The pass game, I thought he stepped up. He's another guy in that boat that the two-minute drive at the end of the game was huge (for). I mean, he was making play after play and he's tired and he keeps going. He keeps pushing himself through it. So you felt growth from him as well."
Vaki is among the Lions' players who are making the strongest impression this preseason. Losing his face mask and keeping right on going stands to endear him even more to the coaching staff and fans.