Week 11 vs. Oakland
While Ameer Abdullah totaled just 22 scrimmage yards on six touches last week against the Packers, it was his 104-yard kickoff return to open the third quarter that led to the Lions grabbing the lead. Ameer just missed getting the goal line on the big return, showing off what he can do in open spaces. Joique Bell carried the ball 14 times compared to the rookie’s five, a trend that will likely continue for the coming weeks, assuming Bell's shoulder holds up. Oakland is No. 23 versus the run, but Abdullah makes for no more than a flex start on Sunday.
Week 10 at Green Bay
Two weeks ago in London, Ameer Abdullah received just one carry for three yards in the loss to the Chiefs. Matthew Stafford threw two passes his way, including one where it appeared he stopped on a route that led to an interception. After a promising Week 1 in which Ameer totaled 94 yards and a TD, he has been a disappointment since, with three fumbles and some mental errors. The bye week should've given Detroit a chance to regroup, but Abdullah doesn’t make for a strong fantasy play even against a Green Bay D that is 27th against the run.
Week 8 vs. Kansas City
In the loss to Minnesota last week, Ameer Abdullah shared the backfield with Joique Bell and Theo Riddick. Ameer led the Lions with eight carries for 43 yards, while Bell and Riddick combined for six rushes and 29 yards. While the Detroit coaching staff keeps waiting for Abdullah to take the reins on the position (and hang on to the ball), it looks like the RBBC approach will remain. Kansas City is allowing a respectable 103 yards per game on the ground, so temper expectations from the rookie again on Sunday.
Week 7 vs. Minnesota
With Matthew Stafford throwing for over 400 yards in the win over Chicago last week, Ameer Abdullah paced the ground attack with 48 yards and also caught three passes for 21 yards. Joique Bell missed his third straight game and Zach Zenner left the contest with cracked ribs, so Ameer saw plenty of action. However, he missed some time with an arm stinger after trying to recover his own fumble in the third quarter, but was back on the field in overtime. With Bell expected back on Sunday, look for the two to share playing time, which doesn’t make either a good fantasy option. Abdullah totaled just 18 yards in Week 2 at Minnesota.
Week 6 vs. Chicago
In the home loss to Arizona last week, Ameer Abdullah finished with just 17 yards on six carries and a nine-yard reception. After a first quarter fumble and another on a kick return in the second quarter, the rookie spent the rest of the day on the bench. Through his first five games, Ameer is averaging just 3.3 yards-per-carry, as the entire offense has been struggling. Assuming he’s able to hang on the ball, Abdullah has a good matchup on Sunday versus a Bears defense allowing 119 rushing yards per game.
Week 5 vs. Arizona
With Joique Bell out of the game last Monday against the Seahawks, Ameer Abdullah led the Lions rushing attack, but finished with just 33 yards on 13 carries. He also caught two passes for 11 yards. After totaling 86 yards in his debut, Ameer has only 84 combined yards over the past three contests – albeit against some pretty good defenses. The Cardinals had all sorts of trouble slowing down another rookie, Todd Gurley, in the second half last week, but they’ve been pretty stingy against the run otherwise. Consider Abdullah a RB3/flex play on Sunday.
Week 4 at Seattle
With the ground game struggling again last Sunday night against the Broncos, Ameer Abdullah helped fantasy owners with a 16-yard TD reception. In the loss, the rookie collected 23 yards on eight carries, along with two catches for 19 yards. Detroit is averaging a league-worst 45 yards per game on the ground and will be facing a stout Seattle defense on Monday night. If you have other options at RB, this week would be a good time to use them.
Week 3 vs. Denver
The Lions ground game had all kinds of problems last week at the Vikings, with Ameer Abdullah rushing for just nine yards on six carries. He also caught a nine-yard pass in the loss. It was quite a difference for the rookie, after he got his career off to a good start in Week 1 at San Diego. The Broncos are allowing an average of just 243 total yards through the first two games, so it could be another tough showing for Abdullah and the Lions RBs, especially if they're playing without Matthew Stafford.
Week 2 vs. Minnesota
Welcome to the NFL, kid. Ameer Abdullah’s first NFL carry went for a 24 yard TD last week in San Diego. On the afternoon, the rookie returned kicks, led the team with seven rushes for 50 yards and also caught four passes for 44 additional yards. Ameer’s 11 touches were three more than Joique Bell’s and he definitely looked like the better RB for the Lions. The Vikings had all sorts of trouble slowing down Carlos Hyde on Monday night, so Abdullah could make for a sneaky start this week.
Week 1 vs. San Diego
With Joique Bell missing all of training camp and preseason action, rookie RB Ameer Abdullah got a chance to run with the first team and impressed the coaching staff. Bell is healthy now and will start in the opener, but may be limited based on his lack of action so far in 2015. While the majority of the touches should go to Bell, expect to see Abdullah get his fair share of snaps in San Diego. However, he doesn’t make for a great fantasy start in Week 1.
