Ameer Abdullah, running back, Detroit Lions
Adbullah shined like a rock star in training camp. He then put on a jaw-dropping show in his preseason debut, tallying an amazing 67 yards only seven carries. However, the rookie couldn’t duplicate the feat in Week 2, when he managed only seven yards on two attempts.
In order to make a case to start in September ahead of veteran running back Joique Bell, who has missed all of training camp to mend from multiple injuries, Abdullah is going to have to pull off another performance similar to that of his Week 1 outing.
According to Lions offensive coordinator, Joe Lombardi, Abdullah will be given plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If he can stay patient, find his holes and produces another highlight-riddled performance, then the starting job could be his for the taking.
However, churning out another sub-par outing will almost certainly find the rookie taking a back seat to Bell come opening day.