Ameer Abdullah Injury: Theo Riddick Becomes Lions Running Back To Own In Fantasy

The Detroit Lions’ backfield just became much thinner.

Ameer Abdullah, who began the season as Detroit’s top running back, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a left foot injury, leaving his availability for the rest of the 2016 campaign in question.

Abdullah still could return at some point this season, but the 23-year-old can be activated off injured reserve no sooner than the Lions’ Week 9 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Abdullah, a second-round draft pick in 2015, suffered the injury during the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. He broke a few tackles on a 24-yard run but limped off the field and did not return.

Initial X-rays showed no broken bones, a source told ESPN.com, but Abdullah traveled to Charlotte for a second opinion Tuesday. The news apparently wasn’t good, judging by Wednesday’s decision to place Abdullah on IR.

Theo Riddick now becomes the top dog in Detroit’s backfield, meaning his fantasy football value just received a huge boost. We’d advise you to immediately add Riddick in fantasy football, but there’s a good chance he’s on someone’s roster. Riddick already was a viable flex option, especially in PPR leagues, given that he caught 80 passes last season and figured to have a sizable role in the Lions’ offense again this season.

Dwayne Washington is worth an add for those with roster space looking for running back help. The seventh-round pick was used sparingly through the first two weeks, but he’ll likely see more work in Abdullah’s absence. Washington scored a touchdown in Week 1 and rushed for 31 yards in Week 2.

Thumbnail photo via Raj Mehta/USA TODAY Sports Images