Ameer Abdullah

It's been a disappointing career thus far, but the Lions didn't add a goal-line back via free agency or the draft, which tells me that Abdullah will get the first crack at the starting job. Theo Riddick also had surgery on both of his wrists, which could potentially lead to more work in the passing game.

Ameer Abdullah expected to return as 'featured' back in 2017

Detroit Lions beat writer Tim Twentyman is reporting running back Ameer Abdullah (foot) is "feeling good" entering OTAs. "I would say about early March late February (I was back on the field),” Abdullah said via DetroitLions.com. “We’re still progressing with things, but I feel good now. We got time to take our time right now, but we’re attacking this thing and I’m expecting to be full go, which I have been." Twentyman later added that "the Lions seem to expect the third-year back to play a featured role in their offense in 2017."

Fantasy Impact

Abdullah, who is nearly fully recovered from a foot injury suffered early in the 2016 season, is on track to return to football activities at OTAs. If the 23-year-old rusher's health remains intact moving forward, he is expected to open the upcoming season as the Lions' "featured" back ahead of Theo Riddick. With Abdullah handing the bulk of the early down work, Riddick is in line to resume his role as the team's primary pass-catching back as well as the starter's handcuff. From a fantasy football perspective, Abdullah should be viewed in the mid-range RB2 tier, whose stock is on the rise.