A second-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, running back Ameer Abdullah once projected as the savior for the Detroit Lions rushing attack. That didn't happen. The former Nebraska Cornhusker tallied 1,251 yards and six touchdowns on a 3.8 yards per carry average in three and a half seasons in Motown; then faced the chopping back as the team waived him mid-2018. The Minnesota Vikings took on the former Lion and are finding a home for him in their scheme.
Following the departure of punt returner Marcus Sherels, Abdullah is listed as the team's No. 1 punt returner in their newest, unofficial, depth chart. He's also listed as an option return kicks; which he did last season. In his seven games with the Vikings in 2018, Abdullah returned a team-high ten kicks, turning it into 268 yards — an average of 25.8 per attempt. Through his career in the NFC North, Abdullah has recorded 59 returns for 1,621 yards, including a 104 yard long.
Abdullah has not fielded punts once in an NFL regular-season game. But he did during his four seasons at Nebraska. In college, Abdullah returned 31 punts — all in his first two seasons — for a 316 yards and a score; an average of 10.2 yards per return. He also fielded 62 kicks for 1,592 yards and a score; an average of 26.1 yards each attempt.
Abdullah has seen an uptick in offensive snaps during training camp too. But, he's not expected to start with third-year talent Dalvin Cook in place. Third-round selection Alexander Mattison, hailing from Boise State, is expected to eventually take reigns of the full-time backup job.
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