Ameer Abdullah needed a breakout moment with the Detroit Lions and it certainly came in Week 10 as the running back took a kick off back 104 yards, nearly missing the endzone. Abdullah is finally starting to show some life with the Detroit Lions as the case is being made for him to get more playing time on the field. With Joique Bell looking less and less like the workhorse running back, should Abdullah take more of his carries?
Abdullah has spent a portion of this season in the doghouse. The running back has struggled with turnovers for much of the year which has limited his time as the main rusher. However, in Week 10, Bell had 17 yards off 14 carries while the rookie had 15 yards off five carries. ESPN's Michael Rothstein makes the case that Abdullah is better the running back and it is time to take the carries away from Bell. Against one of the worst rushing defenses, Bell struggled. If the rookie can put his turnover issues to rest, he is the better option.
"At the end the end of the day I know I'm one of the better playmakers on this team," Abdullah said, via the Detroit Free Press. "So I just got to do a better job of staying on the field and making sure I'm helping my team, 'cause when I'm not on the field I'm not helping out and they need playmakers on the field and I am a playmaker. So just I got to do a better job of just being a reliable option in all areas so I can help out this team and be a playmaker."
With the future of the Lions' franchise in question, Abdullah has a chance to prove he is here to stay. While Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson face questions about their future, Bell could be in that mix too if Abdullah can improve and be a consistent performer. The running back is owed $3.5 million next season and right now he is not worth that amount. According to the Detroit News, Bell might be forced to take a pay cut if he wants to stick around. With Theo Riddick's versatility and Zach Zenner returning from injury, it could be Bell on the outside looking in.
The Lions have a lot of questions to answer for the future. Abdullah is starting to look like a piece to keep around along with Eric Ebron who is quickly becoming a reliable tight end. Consistency will be the thing Detroit is looking at for the future which is what players like Abdullah and Ebron need to show first.
