Detroit Lions release Ameer Abdullah, sign familiar face
The Detroit Lions finally gave up on second-round running back Ameer Abdullah, releasing him on Tuesday. In his place, Detroit re-signed a familiar face.
For years, the Detroit Lions have been trying to find their next Barry Sanders. And we’ve seen many running backs come and go here in the Motor City. Names like Kevin Jones, James Stewart, Kevin Smith, Joique Bell, and many others.
Selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Lions, running back Ameer Abdullah was supposed to be the next candidate to fill Barry’s massive shoes. Four years later, and now Abdullah is unemployed.
On Tuesday, the Lions opted to release Abdullah in a move that likely should have been made before the start of the season. Despite attempts to highlight his play in the preseason for prospective suitors, Detroit was never able to trade the former high draft pick. And now, they have chosen to simply release him outright, eight games into the 2018 regular season.
Abdullah had a promising rookie campaign in Motown, racking up 597 yards and two touchdowns. The following year, he suffered a season-ending foot injury two games into the year that sent his career in a different direction. Last year, Abdullah struggled in the starting role and was essentially benched by the end of the season.
With a new head coach hired this offseason, plus the addition of running backs Kerryon Johnson and LeGarrette Blount, Abdullah’s time in the Motor City seemed to be over. But general manager Bob Quinn was a big fan of Ameer’s and believed he could find a role on this team. But even though the 25-year old was mainly regulated to a special teams returner role, he still struggled with fumbling the ball.
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To replace Abdullah on the depth chart, the Detroit Lions opted to re-sign a familiar face: running back Zach Zenner, who was released by the team after being placed on injured reserve back in early September. Detroit also placed wide receiver Andy Jones on waivers and signed free-agent wideout Bruce Ellington as a replacement.