The Detroit Lions are preparing for a serious test of their offense as they plan the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. The Lions have yet to truly put everything together as they deal with injuries on both sides of the ball. That will be no different against the Seattle Seahawks as running back Joique Bell is expected to be out with rookie Ameer Abdullah getting a bigger role.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Bell is out for the Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks due to an ankle injury. Bell continues to deal with injury issues that are keeping his impact on the field very minimal right now. With rookie Abdullah continuing to thrive with more responsibility on the field, Bell continues to fall on the depth chart. Head coach Jim Caldwell stressed that when healthy, Bell will be a player that makes a big impact on the field, but that has yet to be seen. In the meantime, Abdullah is confident heading into Week 4.
"I haven't really run the ball as much as I thought I would like in college, but if they say 'Hey Ameer, we want to put the ball in your hands more,' go for it. I'm eager to do so. I feel like we have a great game plan coming in every week so even if I don't carry the ball as much, it's not because I can't do it, it's because we saw something in the defense that we want to exploit," Abdullah said, via the team website.
The Lions will need a lot of production out of their run game as Matthew Stafford and company prepare to face a tough secondary unit in the Seahawks. Abdullah is expected to start while Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick could see more playing time. According to MLive.com, both Zenner and Riddick are preparing for more prominent roles in the offense. While Abdullah will carry the rushing load with Zenner, Riddick will act as a passing-down back as he has 15 catches for 144 yards on the season. Zenner told the media he is ready for the opportunity.
"It'd be cool," Zenner said, via ESPN.com. "I'd be very excited about the opportunities. At the same time, I've been ready every week and if it doesn't happen, I'll feel the same way."
This will come in handy as Richard Sherman guards Johnson all game. With Stafford having yet to look his best, the Johnson-Sherman matchup is certainly one to watch. That might allow players like Golden Tate and Eric Ebron to step up and make a different for the offense while the attention falls on Johnson. Being 0-3, this is a must-win game against the Lions and it certainly will not be easy.
