Lions training camp preview: Will the RB group see any changes?

The next installment in our training camp preview series looks at the Lions’ running backs room.

With Detroit Lions 2025 training camp on the horizon, we are bringing back our roster preview series to help prepare you for the fun ahead. If you’re not familiar with this series, we guide you position-by-position through the roster, examining the starting, reserve, and specialty roles, which players are competing for which jobs, and project how the Lions will approach each situation.

So far in this series, we have already covered the quarterback position. In this installment, we will examine the Lions' running backs room, speculating on current and future roles, and discussing how many players from this group could make the 53-man roster.

Setting the table

After establishing a two-headed monster rushing attack in 2023—by signing David Montgomery and drafting Jahmyr Gibbs—the Lions fortified their depth in 2024 by re-signing veteran Craig Reynolds and drafting Sione Vaki. Over the last eight months, Detroit has further solidified its strength by signing Montgomery to a two-year contract extension and then re-signing Reynolds to another one-year contract.

With one of the best and deepest running back rooms in the NFL, the Lions have to feel incredibly comfortable with how their four-man room is constructed. Montgomery and Vaki are signed through the 2027 season, Gibbs is signed through 2026 with a team option for 2027, and Reynolds is signed through 2025.

The Lions did not retain practice squader Jermar Jefferson this offseason, but they did add two undrafted free agents, Kye Robichaux (Boston College) and Anthony Tyus (Ohio), and the rookies are expected to compete for Jefferson’s vacated RB5 role.

Roster construction

Under the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell regime, the Lions have typically kept between three and four running backs on the active roster and at least one on the practice squad, with the number of players being dictated by injuries. However, a special teams rule change altered the Lions’ approach in 2024, and they opted to keep even more running backs on the roster.

Let’s take a look at what they’ve done in the previous four seasons:

• 2021: The Lions opened with three running backs and closed the season with four backs due to injury at the position.
• 2022: Things played out in reverse, with the Lions starting the season with four backs, then scaling back to three due to injuries at other positions.
• 2023: The Lions opened with three, increased to four with injuries at the position, then reverted back to three as they got healthy again.
• 2024: The Lions kept four backs on the active roster for the entire season, regardless of injury.

The battleground

Entering 2025 training camp, the Lions' running back room appears firmly established, but could there be any surprises ahead?

Will the depth chart order change in 2025?

The Lions deploy a true two-headed rushing attack. Montgomery is the “technical” starting running back, but he holds that honor mainly due to his...