Lions Sign Record-Setting UFL RB, Waive Rookie TE With Injury

The Detroit Lions are swiping away another player from the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks amid the second week of their 2025 NFL training camp.

According to the team’s official transaction wire, the Lions signed former Battlehawks record-setting running back Jacob Saylors and waived undrafted rookie tight end Luke Deal with an injury designation on Tuesday in a pair of corresponding roster moves.

Saylors is now the second Battlehawks player the Lions have signed in as many days. They also signed former Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside to their camp roster Monday. In both cases, the Battlehawks agreed to release the player to allow them to sign with the Lions and compete for a spot on their 53-man roster during camp.

The Lions will not practice again until the morning of August 3, but they will square off against the Los Angeles Chargers for their preseason opener on July 31 for the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Jacob Saylors Set Franchise Records for Battlehawks

Saylors has spent time with four different NFL teams over the past two seasons, even earning a spot on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad for a time during the 2023 season. As far as his professional resume goes, though, his UFL success is the most impactful.

In 2024, Saylors dominated the competition for the Battlehawks, setting single-season franchise records in carries (94), rushing yards (461) and rushing touchdowns (five) and a single-game record for his 104 yards against the Arlington Renegades in Week 2. He also led the UFL in scoring among non-quarterbacks/placekickers with 54 points.

While Saylors received two NFL opportunities after the UFL season ended, he returned to the Battlehawks in 2025 after neither one worked out and resumed his production.

In nine starts in 2025, Saylors re-broke his single-season records for rushing attempts (113) and rushing yards (499), finishing second in the league in the latter category. He also finished tied for second with five rushing touchdowns for a second straight season.

While the Lions figure to have plenty of competition for the No. 3 role in their rushing rotation over the next month of camp, Saylors has the potential to make an impression.

Luke Deal Received Injury Settlement From Lions

Deal had a tough task trying to make the Lions’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie.

While Deal earned a place on the Lions’ 90-man roster after accepting an invite to their rookie minicamp and impressing the coaches in the spring, the 24-year-old would have needed to convincingly beat out fourth-year Shane Zylstra and fifth-year Kenny Yeboah for the No. 3 tight end role behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright on the active roster.

Unfortunately, Deal’s injury cuts his roster chances short. The Lions also formalized his departure Tuesday when they sent him on his way with an injury settlement, which will keep him from reverting back to their injured reserve list.

Lions Receive Boost at RB With Sione Vaki’s Return

The Lions have an intriguing new back in the mix with Saylors, but they also have one of their more familiar backs — Sione Vaki — slowly working back into things at practice.

According to The Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi, Vaki returned to practice Monday after missing nearly the entire first week of training camp. He participated in both individual drills and walkthroughs with the team over the past two days, a sign that he could soon return to full-team drills and resume competing for the No. 3 spot in the rotation.

Vaki, a 2024 fourth-round pick, appeared in 16 games for the Lions as a rookie, but he rushed just six times for 14 yards and added 37 receiving yards as a limited-action back. The Lions have been hoping that he would take the next step forward in his sophomore camp, but his injury has delayed him, leaving him with some catching up to do.