ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai underwent back surgery Tuesday in Dallas, according to coach Dan Campbell.
Vaitai was placed on injured reserve ahead of the season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but Campbell said Wednesday that the team is not ruling out the possibility of the guard playing this season.
The 29-year-old Vaitai originally hurt his back during the preseason finale in Pittsburgh. The Lions started Logan Stenberg in his place in Week 1.
"You're definitely going to miss Big V. It's always hard to replace, but he's great.