Detroit Lions rookie running back Ameer Abdullah has a fumbling problem.
Fumbling was something he struggled with in college, and it’s apparent the rookie is still having issues with ball control in the NFL with three fumbles over five games.
Due to Abdullah’s last fumble in Detroit’s Week 5 blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the rookie found himself benched by coach Jim Caldwell. For this, Abdullah explained that he is trying to earn trust back from his coach.
“Coach made the call to sit me down, which probably was the right decision,” Abdullah said, via the Detroit Free Press. “The way the game was going, he probably felt like he couldn’t trust me, so I’m just doing my best to regain his trust, as I know I can do.”
Since veteran running back Joique Bell is averaging only 1.1 yards per carry and is limited due to injuries, the Lions cannot afford to have the healthiest and most viable player at running back sitting on the bench against the Chicago Bears in Week 6.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi reiterated earlier in the week that Abdullah will remain the featured running back in the Lions offense.
“He’s a young player, I don’t think we banish him to the minors yet,” Lombardi said, via the Detroit Free Press. “…So I think that you kind of trust that he’s going to keep working on it and get better.”
Abdullah’s fumbling issues are only a single aspect of multiple things going completely wrong for the Lions this season. The team is failing to extend drives, resulting in the Lions averaging only 16.6 points per game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford’s game play has been a mess and he has turned the ball over more than he has scored.
As for Detroit’s ground game, there really isn’t much of one. The team ranks dead last with 2.8 yards per attempt and is averaging only 48.8 rushing yards per game. Benching the team’s best option at running back really isn’t an option at this time.