Lions Hit With Brutal Injury News Right Before Season Opener vs Saints

The Detroit Lions will be without a valuable back-up running back as they prepare for their season opener against the New Orleans Saints. In a recent trade, the Lions shipped running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for a 2026 fourth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and center Juice Scruggs. To fill the void, the Lions signed running back Isiah Pacheco to a one-year deal worth $1.81 million in March.

However, Pacheco's season is now in jeopardy after he was placed on injured reserve due to a back injury, which will sideline him for at least the first four games. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Pacheco's injury will keep him from playing during the Lions' opening match. During his initial four years in the NFL, Pacheco amassed 576 rushing attempts for 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Despite his absence, head coach Dan Campbell is confident in the ability of Jacob Saylors to handle the workload if Pacheco is unable to play. Campbell also expressed openness to exploring outside options to strengthen the Lions' backfield before the season, emphasizing the importance of having a familiar face who understands their system.