Michael Whitaker
Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah may have missed all but two games of this past season, but he has no plans to go anywhere but to the top. Detroit’s 2015 second round draft pick still sees himself as the solution to Detroit’s running game woes.
“Coming into this league, I had no other plans but to be a premier NFL back in this league, and I know I will be,” Abdullah explained during Lions locker-room cleanout.
“It just takes patience, it takes prayer, it takes diligence, and coming from this injury — these injuries in the last year — it’s just that much more important to me.”
He also added that it was difficult to watch Detroit’s running game struggle while he dealt with his injury. In his first two games, Abdullah gained 101 yards on 18 carries before suffering a season-ending foot injury during Detroit’s Week 2 loss to Tennessee.
Detroit’s run game ranked 30th overall in the NFL this season, managed only 49 rushing yards during Detroit’s Wild Card playoff loss to Seattle on Saturday night.
Abdullah hopes that he’ll be getting another chance to prove that he can be an elite member of the team, especially after GM Bob Quinn alluded to the team looking to upgrade at the position.
“I definitely understand the nature of the business,” Abdullah said. “I understand they have to do things to make sure they’re in the best position for them, just like I have to do things to make sure I’m in the best position for myself. So whatever happens, happens. But I sure hope so.”
“When things were taken away, it forces you to think more and to understand that this is a blessing that I’ve been given this opportunity. So just heading into the future, everything just means a lot more.”
