The lack of running game was the Achilles heel of the Detroit Lions offense in 2016. The Detroit Lions running backs ranked just 30th in the NFL, gaining just 81.9 yards per game and averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. The only teams who were worse at running the ball were the Minnesota Vikings, who lost Adrian Peterson for the season and the St. Louis Rams who struggled at nearly everything this season.
There are plenty of reasons for the collapse of the running game in 2016. There were also plenty of injuries, which left room for some players to stake a claim on playing time next year. Let’s look at the grades for each player, the position group and the outlook for next season.
Ameer Abdullah – RB, 2nd Year – Nebraska
Grade- Incomplete
Game 2 of the 2016 season is where the tragic tale of the Detroit Lions running game started. Abdullah was off to a solid start with 6 carries and 38 yards before suffering a torn ligament in his foot. The injury would force the second year back to miss the rest of the 2016 season.
As the season opened, Abdullah looked like the running back the Detroit Lions have been missing since Barry Sanders retired via fax prior to the 1999 season. As a matter of fact, Abdullah pulled a move reminiscent of the NFL Hall of Fame running back the very game he was injured.
Abdullah looks on track to return healthy and ready to go next season. Lions fans are hoping that he can help take some of the pressure off Matthew Stafford. One thing is certain, Abdullah will be ready to put a disappointing sophomore season behind him.
Still Ahead: Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington, the bench, season outlook