Pacheco Injury Reshapes Lions, College Football Rosters

Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco underwent surgery to remove a loose body pressing on a nerve in his back and is expected to miss about 12 weeks, potentially returning in early December after an MCL injury and a back problem during rehabilitation. His absence leaves Jahmyr Gibbs with a heavy workload after he carried 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, with Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors providing inexperienced depth. Lions guard Christian Mahogany avoided a major finding on an initial scan after leaving the opener, but further evaluation is needed to identify whether he has a hip or knee injury and determine his availability against Buffalo. In college football, Florida wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. is questionable against Auburn with an ankle injury, Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson’s return remains uncertain after missing the loss to Oklahoma State, and Penn State defensive end LaVar Arrington II could miss four to six weeks after a knee procedure, potentially delaying his return until games against USC and Michigan.