Detroit Lions not giving up on Ameer Abdullah just yet

After a lackluster season as the Detroit Lions starting running back, Ameer Abdullah appears to have one more chance to prove himself in the Motor City.

If there is one word that might best describe the Detroit Lions‘ running game in 2017 it might be “anemic”. The Lions’ rushing attack looked lifeless at times last season, rushing for a total of 1,221 yards, dead last in the NFL.

And at the heart of those rushing struggles was third-year running back Ameer Abdullah, who started 11 games for the Lions in 2017. A former second round pick out of Nebraska, Abdullah was coming off a foot injury that limited to just two game appearances the season prior.

The 24-year old back was often ineffective in his third season, rushing for 552 yards and four touchdowns while averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per carry. Abdullah was essentially benched, not starting a single game after Week 12.

Most seemed to believe that Abdullah’s time in the Motor City had run it’s course. And that the once promising prospect would be released or traded this offseason. Instead, it appears Abdullah will get one more shot to prove he can be a productive member of this Lions’ offense.

"“There’s about, I’d say, four or five lead or elite running backs in the league right now. You can probably name them on one hand,” Quinn told DetroitLions.com. “Does Ameer fit into that? He didn’t last year. But listen, he’s a guy we like. He’s a smart guy. He’s a versatile guy. He can catch it out of the backfield. He can run the ball. He has to have a good offseason and come back and prove himself to a new coaching staff.”"

Although fans may have written off Abdullah, it sounds as if Quinn himself has not. Now it’s up to the fourth-year running back to earn that same faith from the coaching staff, fans and most importantly, new head coach Matt Patricia.

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Running back Ameer Abdullah is entering the final year of his rookie contract in Detroit. And it’s not uncommon for players in a contract year to put up career-elevating performances. I’d expect to see Abdullah give his best effort this offseason to recapture the trust from this Detroit Lions’ coaching staff.