By Moses Joshua 
Injuries shake up Lions’ backfield as promising rookie gets waived with injury designation
An Unfortunate Turn for a Promising Prospect
The Detroit Lions’ 2025 offseason has already begun with turbulence, particularly in the injury department. After a 2024 campaign marred by high-profile losses—most notably the season-ending leg injury to star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson—the injury bug has struck again, this time forcing the team to part ways with a promising young running back before he even had a chance to suit up in preseason.
Rookie rusher Kye Robichaux, a standout from Boston College with a total of 2,342 rushing yards across his collegiate career, was waived with an injury designation on August 4. The move comes as a surprise to many fans who saw Robichaux as a potential dark horse in Detroit’s crowded running back room.
Backfield Battles and Brutal Timing
Robichaux was already facing stiff competition heading into training camp. While his bruising running style and production—744 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior year—turned heads, the numbers game at the position was never in his favor.
Sports Illustrated’s Vito Chirco noted prior to the cut, “At this present juncture, I believe that Tyus is ahead of Robichaux on the team’s RB depth chart.” But as it turns out, neither Robichaux nor fellow rookie Anthony Tyus III would survive the first rounds of roster trimming. Tyus was waived in July with a non-football illness, despite reportedly impressing during OTAs with his receiving ability and physical play.
The Lions’ decision to waive Robichaux may not be the final chapter in his story with Detroit. With an “injury designation,” he is eligible to return later in the season if he clears waivers and recovers in time—a scenario that could materialize should the team need depth due to further injuries down the line.
Shifting the Focus: Who’s Next Up?
While Robichaux’s exit narrows the competition, it also opens the door for a more expanded role for second-year player Sione Vaki. A fourth-round pick in 2024, Vaki proved to be a versatile weapon, contributing modestly on offense but making his biggest impact on special teams with 310 snaps, eight tackles, and a forced fumble.
Still, the bulk of Detroit’s ground attack in 2025 is expected to once again revolve around the dynamic pairing of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The duo combined for over 3,000 all-purpose yards last season, with Gibbs leading the league in total touchdowns (20) and Montgomery providing the power with 12 scores of his own.
Final Word: The Harsh Reality of the NFL
Kye Robichaux’s release serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of opportunity in the NFL. One moment, a rookie is fighting for a roster spot; the next, a minor injury sidelines them indefinitely in a league that rarely waits. Still, Robichaux’s productivity and potential suggest his NFL dream isn’t over—just paused.
If there’s one silver lining, it’s that Detroit isn’t likely to forget what he showed in college and early workouts. And if injuries strike again, the Lions may be placing a familiar name on the practice squad call list.
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