Why Sione Vaki, Lions RB, didn’t play vs. Commanders

DETROIT — Running back Sione Vaki was the only surprise absence for the Detroit Lions in their 17-13 preseason victory over the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said after the game that Vaki was dealing with back spasms.

Vaki, who missed several weeks in training camp while recovering from eye and broken nose injuries, had an excellent return to practice last week. Campbell said he told Vaki, “We’re good, Vaki,” and anticipates the running back will return to practice this week.

“He woke up yesterday, and he just had something, kind of a knot back here that was — it’s not major, but it’s enough to where, it’s one of those bad spasms to where we were hoping to get it out of there, give him some stuff to loosen it out, and we just ran out of time with it,” Campbell said.

“We would have loved to see him. I told him that, and he wanted to play, but he also — man, he got some really good work coming off a broke nose, a punched-out eye. … And so we’ll get him to calm down, he’ll be ready to practice this week, I would anticipate.”

▶ WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.: Wilson, who was fighting for a spot on the Lions’ 53-man roster, left the game with a knee injury after making catches for 4 and 17 yards on consecutive plays. Campbell said he’s “worried” about the prognosis as the team awaits test results.

“I don’t know for sure. I’m worried. I’m worried on that one,” Campbell said. “I love Wilson, man. He’s a smart, crafty football player. He gets it, can play all the spots at receiver, special teams, and we don’t know. We’re getting that knee looked at. … I’ll leave it at that.”

▶ OL Michael Niese: Niese left the game with 4:01 left in the third quarter after his leg collided with Commanders safety Qwuantrezz Knight during a 24-yard run by Trayveon Williams. Niese was spotted on crutches in the locker room after the game. Campbell did not disclose his immediate outlook.

nbianchi@detroitnews.com

@nolanbianchi

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Why Sione Vaki, Lions RB, didn’t play vs. Commanders