The Detroit Lions plan on relying heavily on their run game in 2015. While confidence is high in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, the team plans on utilizing a more balanced rushing attack to help make Matthew Stafford more successful in the upcoming year. After letting Reggie Bush go, the Lions drafted Ameer Abdullah who had high expectations placed on his shoulders at the start of training camp. However, with the second preseason game approaching, Abdullah is not a starter.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the current starting running back for the Lions is not Abdullah nor is it Joique Bell. Theo Riddick is sitting at the top of the depth chart right now after putting up 35 yards on eight carries in the first preseason game. Outside of Abdullah, Riddick is having the best training camp for the Lions and is making an impact on the field early. Head coach Jim Caldell had nothing but praise for Riddick who is battling to be the lead in the three-headed rotation.
"Theo ran well," Caldwell said, via the Free Press. "Theo got some tough yards, some great effort plays and then also he made some people miss, which he's certainly capable of doing. So it was fun to get an opportunity to see him go at it a little bit and I thought on the ground he was productive."
Abdullah admitted that he was just average in the team's first preseason game. The running back has been handed a lot of hype this preseason getting comparisons to Barry Sanders amongst other things. He had 67 yards off seven carries in the preseason, but blamed missed opportunities on rust. The rookie is aiming to get back on top in the next preseason game.
"I think my first preseason game went OK, borderline good, but by no means great," Abdullah said, via the team's website. "I missed a lot of holes. I was a little rusty, but that's what I expected getting back into game shape, seeing things at game speed again. There was definitely a lot to learn from."
Both Abdullah and Riddick are capitalizing on the injury to Bell who was originally predicted to be the team's starting back this season. Bell is still recovering from off-season knee surgery which is leaving his starting spot in jeopardy. Both young backs are capitalizing on the added playing time. They are not the only Lions player doing that as Eric Ebron and Corey Fuller are looking like early standouts for Detroit.
