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Detroit Lions: Ameer Abdullah is set to have a breakout season

By Steven Mullenax

Sep 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) stretches before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) stretches before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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In his third year with the Detroit Lions, is running back Ameer Abdullah finally primed to have a breakout season in 2017?

The Detroit Lions‘ rushing offense has been one of the worst in the NFL for well over a decade. The Lions’ best season in that area in recent memory was back in 2013, when they ranked 17th in the league behind the rushing combo of running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell.

Last year’s Lions were hoping to replicate that success using a similar combo of runners featuring both Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah in the backfield. Unfortunately, both players suffered from injuries in 2016.

Riddick was limited to just 10 games due to both ankle and wrists injuries. While Abdullah suffered a foot injury (Lisfranc tear) that had him on season-ending Injured Reserve after just two games.

With Riddick being a much better receiving option out of the backfield than a between the tackles runner, the starting role is expected to be Abdullah’s to lose this summer. But it is also clear Lions’ head coach Jim Caldwell doesn’t see the shifty 5-foot-9, 203 pound runner as a pure workhorse back.

"“I don’t envision [Abdullah] carrying the ball 30 times in a ballgame,” Caldwell told ESPN last year. “I think he’s capable, certainly, but that’s not his strength. I think he’s one of those guys that you have to get it to him a number of different ways.”"

During his final two seasons at Nebraska, Abdullah rushed for a combined 3,301 yards and 28 touchdowns. The 23-year old is certainly capable of putting Detroit back on the NFL map when it comes to a dangerous rushing attack. And if he begins to show signs of that potential this season, Caldwell may have no choice but to give Abdullah more snaps.

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According to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, Abdullah has been demonstrating the same burst and cutback ability during OTA’s this offseason that made him the Lions’ second round selection in 2015. If he can stay healthy, Ameer Abdullah appears primed for a breakout season, putting the motor back in the Motor City.

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