Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs continues to shoulder a massive offensive workload, putting him on a historic pace that ranks among the heaviest usage rates in NFL history.
During Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Gibbs recorded 29 carries for 116 yards alongside five receptions for 27 yards. While such statistics would represent an exceptional single-game burden for most backfields, the performance aligns with the standard utilization pattern established by the franchise this season.
Following the offseason departure of David Montgomery via trade and a subsequent contract extension that made Gibbs the highest-paid running back in the league, the organization has consistently placed him at the center of the offensive game plan. Gibbs currently leads all NFL players in total touches with 134 carries and 32 receptions, amounting to 166 total touches across six games. This production is particularly notable given that Detroit has already taken its bye week, leaving the team with six played games while the majority of the league has contested seven.
Maintaining his current average of 27.7 touches per game across the 17-game schedule would leave Gibbs with 470 total touches by the conclusion of the regular season. That figure would mark the second-highest single-season touch total in NFL history, trailing only James Wilder, who accumulated 492 touches with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984.
The modern professional game has largely shifted away from the heavy workhorse back models prevalent in previous eras, with contemporary franchises exercising caution to protect starting runners from excessive wear and tear. Although such heavy usage introduces potential long-term durability concerns for Detroit, the coaching staff has shown no hesitation through the first six weeks of the campaign in keeping Gibbs as the focal point of the offense.
