The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday morning they have signed running back Jacob Saylors to the 90-man roster. The news comes a day after reserve back Kye Robichaux suffered an injury in Monday’s practice. Robichaux was not at Tuesday’s practice either, opening up the opportunity for Saylors to get some work in training camp and potentially play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Saylors led the UFL in rushing yards per game in 2025 as a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks.
In nine games, he had 522 yards on 113 carries, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and finding the end zone five times on the ground. He’s also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield, as he pulled in 22 catches for 245 yards. In 2024, also with the Battlehawks, Saylors rushed for 473 yards (4.9 YPC), five touchdowns, and added 153 receiving yards and another three scores in the receiving games.
Those performances have earned him back-to-back All-UFL honors.
Between UFL seasons, Saylors spent time with the Giants and Browns, but did not stick with either team during the regular season.
Listed at 5-foot-10, 199 pounds, Saylors is on the smaller side of an NFL running back, but his dual-threat attack as both a runner and receiver makes him an intriguing weapon at the next level. He shows promising vision and good lateral agility.
jacob saylors doing what he does best... gaining yards. pic.twitter.com/VhfRwgXQ0G
— St. Louis Battlehawks (@XFLBattlehawks) March 30, 2025
The Lions have already seen a lot of shifting among their running back depth. They waived Anthony Tyus a couple weeks ago, and with both Sione Vaki and Robichaux currently working their way back from injury, Saylors may have a legit opportunity to stick around in Detroit. While Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, and Vaki are all currently expected to make the team, Saylors has a full month to justify a potential spot on the practice squad, and that could start with an opportunity in Thursday’s preseason game, if he’s ready.
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