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Lions’ running back Ameer Abdullah expected to miss rest of season

By Brad Berreman

Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. (Play disqualified due to penalty). Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. (Play disqualified due to penalty). Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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 After placing him on injured reserve this week, the Detroit Lions reportedly don’t expect running back Ameer Abdullah to return from a foot injury this season.

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah started his second NFL season in solid fashion, with 18 carries for 101 yards along with five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. But he was injured during last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, and Abdullah was placed on injured reserve this week with a torn ligament in his left foot.

Abdullah reportedly had surgery on his foot, but under the league’s new rule the Lions could designate him as a player that can return after a minimum eight-week absence. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning Abdullah is expected to return shortly after Detroit’s Week 10 bye, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter has now directly contradicted that.

During his appearance on NFL Insiders Sunday morning, Schefter reported the Lions believe Abdullah will miss the rest of the season. While citing a source is hardly an official statement from the team, or an official declaration of Abdullah’s status per se, it’s clear he will be out awhile.

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Theo Riddick had two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, and he’ll be counted on to step into a bigger role. Rookie Dwayne Washington (four carries for 31 yards in Week 2) is also in line for a bigger role, as is Zach Zenner, who was a healthy scratch in each of the first two games this season.

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On the heels of the dire news about Abdullah, former Lions’ running back Joique Bell came in for a workout with the team last Tuesday. He was not immediately signed, which could be considered a red flag about Bell or a sign the Lions are comfortable with who they have at running back in Abdullah’s stead.

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