By Michael Stets
ALLEN PARK — Ameer Abdullah is back in a Honolulu blue jersey.
The Lions starting running back—who had donned a red “no contact” jersey usually reserved for quarterbacks since the start of training camp—was back wearing No.21 during Saturday’s walkthough and was a full participant during Sunday’s practice.
Abdullah, 23, had surgery this past January to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, which was why he was held back from contact since the start of training camp.
Does he feel a sense of freedom now that he’s ditched the red jersey?
“I feel good,” Abdullah told WJR after practice.
Today’s NFL training camps are a far cry from yesteryear, but with two preseason games left before the start of the regular season, the 2015 second round draft pick out of Nebraska knows being on the field among collisions and contact will only be to his benefit as the upcoming NFL calendar is fast approaching.
“Last time I checked that’s how they play this game and that’s what I need to do,” he said.
Abdullah had 597 yards rushing in his rookie season, which was good enough to lead the team, but the Lions finished last in the league in 2015. Obviously, the team will need to improve in that category and that is what the Alabama native is striving for.
“I’m just trying to be the best I can be,” he said. “Hopefully with me giving my best effort every day, getting better every day this running game will improve.”
The Lions open the 2016 regular season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts and Abdullah says he’s “been ready since January.” He’s confident in his own abilities as well as his stablemate Theo Riddick, but he knows games aren’t won on paper and he and his teammates will need to produce.
“Everything is on paper for us to be successful, now we have to go out there and actually do it,” said Abdullah, who scored three touchdowns last season. “That’s the biggest challenge for me, just going out there and doing it. Right now we are putting in every effort day in and day out practicing our game like we play in the game. That is the biggest thing.”
The Lions head to Baltimore to face the Ravens in their third preseason game of the year on Saturday night, but will Abdullah see his first in-game action of the year?
“You got him right here, you can ask him that question,” said Abdullah, pointing to head coach Jim Caldwell before he walked off toward the locker room.
As expected, Caldwell remained cryptic on whether Abdullah would play vs. Baltimore or not, telling WJR,” We’ll see. We’ll see.”
The Lions play the Ravens on Saturday August 27, 2016 at 7 p.m. ET. You can hear the game in its entirety right here on Newstalk 760 WJR, immediately following “Detroit Lions Countdown to Kickoff,” which airs from 4-7 p.m. ET.