Lions Add Former Draft Pick With Running Back Depth Running Thin

The Detroit Lions are adding some much-needed depth to their running back room, signing veteran Trayveon Williams to the team’s training camp roster.

Detroit has dealt with injuries at running back throughout the summer, and additional bumps and bruises during the preseason have made adding another option a priority. The corresponding roster move has not yet been announced.

Detroit Lions Sign Trayveon Williams

Williams was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft after starring at Texas A&M. He spent six seasons with Cincinnati, moving between the active roster and practice squad while appearing in 68 games.

During his Bengals tenure, Williams recorded 62 rushing attempts for 307 yards. His most productive season came in 2020, when he rushed 26 times for 157 yards.

The 2025 season proved to be more difficult. Williams initially signed with the New England Patriots but was released before training camp. He then joined the Cleveland Browns, only to be released during roster cutdowns.

Williams later spent time on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad before returning to Cleveland. He finished the season with three carries for minus-1 yard with Los Angeles and seven carries for 37 yards with the Browns.

Now entering his eighth NFL season, Williams gets another opportunity in Detroit. With the Lions’ running back depth chart unsettled, he could compete for the fourth spot on the roster.

Lions’ Running Back Competition Remains Open

Detroit’s injury situation forced the team to turn to fourth-string running back Jacob Saylors in its preseason opener. Jahmyr Gibbs remains healthy, although he missed part of training camp while working through his contract situation and is still being gradually worked back into action.

Meanwhile, Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki have both missed time with injuries.

That has left Saylors, Kyle Robichaux and Raheem Blackshear as the team’s primary healthy options at times. In the preseason opener, Saylors rushed eight times for 55 yards, Blackshear carried five times for 33 yards and Robichaux finished with eight carries for 31 yards.

Saylors appeared to suffer a minor injury during the game, though it did not initially look serious.

Gibbs is expected to lead the backfield, while Pacheco appears positioned as the primary No. 2 option. Vaki’s value on special teams also makes him a strong candidate to stick around.

That leaves the fourth running back spot as one of the more interesting battles on the roster. Saylors has made a strong case for the job with his preseason performance, but Williams brings significantly more NFL experience to the competition.

This could ultimately prove to be nothing more than a training camp addition, but Detroit’s current lack of depth gives Williams an opportunity to make an impression. If injuries continue to affect the room, his experience could make him a legitimate contender for a roster spot.