At 27.7 touches per game, Gibbs could finish the season with the second‑most carries and receptions combined ever recorded.
Key points
- Gibbs leads the NFL in touches after six games with 166 total carries and receptions.
- At his current rate, he is on track for 470 touches, the second‑most in a single season in NFL history.
- Detroit’s strategy reflects a commitment to a workhorse back despite contemporary caution about overuse.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs logged 134 carries and 32 receptions for a total of 166 touches in Detroit’s first six games, leading the league despite the Lions having already taken a bye week.
That pace translates to roughly 27.7 touches per game, and if it holds over a full 17‑game schedule, Gibbs would finish with about 470 touches, according to NBC Sports’ calculations.
Current workload
A total of 470 touches would rank second all‑time, trailing only James Wilder’s 492 touches with the 1984 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an era when teams routinely gave backs a heavier workload.
The Lions, having traded veteran David Montgomery and signed Gibbs to the league’s highest‑paid running‑back contract, appear intent on making him the focal point of their offense, even as modern teams often limit backfield usage to avoid injury.
Historical context
While the projected volume raises durability questions, the Lions have not altered their approach through the first six weeks, suggesting they are willing to accept the risk in pursuit of offensive production.
Reader questions
How many touches does Jahmyr Gibbs have so far this season?
He has 134 carries and 32 catches, totaling 166 touches through six games.
What historical record could Gibbs approach?
If he maintains his pace, Gibbs could finish with 470 touches, the second‑highest total ever, behind James Wilder’s 492 touches in 1984.
Source: nbcsports.com