DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions know they are asking a lot of star running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
His next major test will come Thursday against the Buffalo Bills.
For the first three years of his career, Gibbs was paired with David Montgomery in Detroit's “Sonic and Knuckles” partnership. Montgomery wasn't a little-used backup, either. He averaged 853.3 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Montgomery picked up where he left off Sunday, scoring three touchdowns, but that was for the Houston Texans in a 36-31 loss to the Bills.
At the same time, Gibbs was dealing with his new workload as Detroit's only experienced rusher. He averaged a career-high 18.8 touches per game last season, but got 34 in Sunday's 31-30 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints — three more than his previous high.
He made the most of them, rushing for 156 yards and two touchdowns while adding 30 yards on five receptions, but now he's facing a short week before facing the Bills in their home opener.
“I told him to drink a lot of Gatorade,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “If this were a normal week, Thursday would be the day our guys were fully recovered and we'd be going full speed at practice. This week, we'll be at full speed and jumping right into a game.”
This early in the season, Campbell isn't too worried about Gibbs.
“I think Gibbs is going to be recovered for Thursday,” he said. “I think he'll be ready to go, just like the rest of our guys, and he'll have plenty of juice in the tank.”
Gibbs isn't concerned, either.
“I'm good,” he said after the game. “I feel fine. I could have taken 40 (touches) today.”
Detroit's backup is special teams regular Sione Vaki, who has only carried the ball nine times in 28 career games.
Detroit's new-look offensive line, with rookie Blake Miller at tackle and Juice Scruggs at center, looked good. The Lions carried the ball 33 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns, and Jared Goff was only sacked once.
Detroit's defense dominated the first 38 minutes of the game, forcing Tyler Shough into three turnovers, and helped the Lions build a 21-0 lead.
In the next 31 minutes, though, Shough went 25 of 33 (75.8%) for 325 yards and three touchdowns as the Saints forced overtime and then had a 2-point conversion attempt that would have won the game.
That's a problem, considering the Lions face Josh Allen on Thursday.
Outside linebacker Derrick Barnes intercepted a pass on the first play of the second half, setting up a Lions touchdown, then helped stop New Orleans' 2-point conversion attempt in overtime by getting into the flat quickly enough to take away Shough's passing lane to Chris Olave.
Wide receiver Jameson Williams dropped multiple passes, including a deep throw from Goff that could have been a 67-yard touchdown. Williams also fumbled a pitch-out on an end-around.
He did redeem himself slightly with a 22-yard catch to the Saints 5 to set up Detroit's overtime touchdown.
While Detroit's offensive line played well, it is not clear if two of the five starters will be available Thursday. Monday's injury report indicated that guard Christian Mahogany (hip) and Miller (knee) would not have practiced.
“It's a short week, so it is really about how fast we can get them back out there,” Campbell said. “They've got the normal recovery period and the injuries on top of it. We'll know more tomorrow. but it is a situation where Friday would be better than Thursday.”
578 — The number of touches Gibbs will get if he averages the same workload he had on Sunday. His career high is 320, set last season.
The Lions don't have the kind of offensive-line depth to replace two starters, especially on a short week, so the training staff will be working feverishly to get Mahogany and Miller ready for the Bills. Buffalo has won five straight matchups with the Lions, but each game has finished with a one-score margin.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) carries against New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) caries against New Orleans Saints safety Jonas Sanker (7) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The 78th Emmy Awards are here. “The Pitt” will look to find its place in the television pantheon and “Widow's Bay” will ride a storm of buzz into the ceremony Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Mariska Hargitay, the longtime “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star and a three-time Emmy winner, will host the show on NBC, which has rolled out a peacock blue carpet for the occasion, a nod to the network's 100th anniversary.
The ceremony will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the 50th anniversary of “Charlie's Angels,” with cast members among the presenters.
The Emmys telecast rotates between the broadcast networks, and this year it’s airing live on NBC and streaming live on Peacock at 8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific.
“Live from E!: Countdown to the Emmys” will show stars arriving beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific on YouTube and Peacock. The Associated Press will also have a delayed feed of celebrity arrivals on YouTube.
HBO Max's real-time emergency room drama “The Pitt” was a rookie upstart a year ago when it won best drama, best actor for star Noah Wyle and best supporting actress for Katherine LaNasa. Now an esteemed veteran, the show is expected to repeat in all three categories and could win three more, with Wyle himself up for three trophies. The show's ensemble got four nominations in the supporting actress category and three more for supporting actor.
“Hacks” got the most nominations of any comedy for its fifth and final season on HBO Max, and star Jean Smart is a virtual lock to make it 5-for-5 with yet another win for best actress in a comedy.
But the Apple TV horror comedy “Widow's Bay” may spoil the “Hacks” send-off. It comes into the evening with eight wins at earlier ceremonies where most of the well over 100 Emmys categories are awarded.
The show can add up to six more Monday. If it does, it will break the record of 13 Emmys for a comedy in a season set last year by “The Studio.”
“Widow's Bay” star Matthew Rhys is a favorite to win best actor in a comedy, and the show's breakout star Kate O'Flynn is a strong candidate for best supporting actress.
Rhea Seehorn plays the lone central character on Apple TV's “Pluribus,” and she could ride the role to her first Emmy for best actress in a drama.
Seehorn's competition includes Zendaya, who won for the first two seasons of “Euphoria” in 2020 and 2022, and is nominated for its third and final season.
The night could also bring the first Emmy — and first major competitive Hollywood award of any kind — to 84-year-old Harrison Ford, who is among the favorites for best supporting actor in a comedy for playing a therapist coping with Parkinson's disease on “Shrinking.”
A general view of atmosphere during the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Meg Stalter, left, and Paul W. Downs arrive at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Mariska Hargitay arrives at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Noah Wyle arrives at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Grace Gummer arrives at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Desi Lydic arrives at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Niecy Nash Betts arrives at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Lisa Ann Walter arrives at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Chris Perfetti arrives at the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The team from "Widow's Bay" poses in the press room with the award for outstanding sound mixing for a comedy or drama series (half-hour) and animation during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Noah Wyle, left, and Sara Wells pose in the press room during night two of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Show host Mariska Hargitay poses for photographs during a press preview for the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Caroline Brehman/Invision/AP)
