Detroit Lions Running Backs updated Dec 8

A new look backfield replacing Joquie with Ridley. Zenner, Winn and Washington Battle for the last spot.

2015 STATS: RUNNING BACKS
PLAYER	GAMES	ATTS	YDS	AVG	TD	REC	YDS	TD
Ameer Abdullah	16	143	597	4.2	2	25	183	1
Theo Riddick	16	43	133	3.1	0	80	697	3
Michael Burton	16	4	2	.5	0	6	39	1
Stevan Ridley#	9	36	90	2.5	0	4	-2	0
Zach Zenner	6	17	60	3.5	0	2	11	0
George Winn	7	4	1	.3	0	0	0	0
Dwayne Washington*	8	47	282	6.0	4	25	315	3

Active Roster
Ameer Abdullah (IR)
Theo Riddick
Dwayne Washington
Zach Zenner
Justin Forsett

Practice Squad
George Winn
Mike James


Gone
Joique Bell



Ameer Abdullah 2nd  year in Detroit 16 games 9 starts
2nd round pick 2015
Regular season: 143/597 2 td rush 2 FL 25/183/1 rec 37/1077 KPR
Pre season: 12/82/0 rush 1/21 rec
College (Nebraska) 53 games 813/4598/39 73/690/7 rec
Football Outsiders rank in 2015= 37
3 years left on contract $944,574 cap hit
Combine: 5086 205 4.6 24 42.5 1010 3.95 6.79

Abdullah showed flashes of being a solid NFL running back. He started to cure his fumbling and making players miss. Had offseason shoulder season that wiped out his practice time.

2016 Season: Played in 2 games 57 snaps. 18/101/0 rush 5/57/1 rec. Broken foot in the second game.

Theo Riddick 4th year in Detroit 44 games 3 start
6th round pick 2013
Regular Season: 72/209/1 rush 118/1029/ 7 rec 1 FL
Post Season 1 games 4/39 rec
Pre season: 40/116/1 rush 17/123/2 rec
College (Notre Dame) 244/1169/5 rush 120/1262/8 rec
contracts: 4 years $697,750 hit
Combine: 5101 201 4.68 14 32 910 6.99 4.32

Theo enters his last year on contract with a lot of expectations. He was one of the most elusive receivers in the NFL in 2015. The Lions would like him to improve his running from scrimmage.

Steven Ridley 6th in the NFL 1st in Detroit 61 games 26 starts
UFA 2016 Jets
NFL stats: 685/2907/22 rush 27/144/0 rec Jets, Pats
College Stats: (LSU) 39 games 306/1419/19 rush 17/94 rec
Contract: Last year $680,000 hit
Combine: 5112 225 4.73 21 36 910 4.21 6.78

Brought in to be the inside runner to replace Joquie but injuries has his status in question. Waived August 25 after two preseason games.

Zach Zenner 2nd year in Detroit 6 games 1 start
UDFA 2015
Lions stats: 17/60 rush 2/11 rec
Preseason: 35/183/2 rush 8/66/1 rec
College (South Dakota State) 1095/6548/61 rush 95/909/8 rec
Contract 2 years left $526,666 hit
Combine: 5114 223 4.6 25 41 1001 4.14 7.08

Zenner made the squad as an UDFA in 2015. Injuries ruined his season. He received a lot of reps due to injury this offseason.

George Winn 3rd year in Detroit 19 games
FA 2014 Texans, Raiders, Cowboys, Steelers, Pats
Lions stats: 23/74/ 0 rush 2/28 KOR 8 tackles
Preseason: 61/157/2 rush 11/69/0 Rec 2 FL
College (Cincinnati) 40 games 321/1710/15 rush 19/159/0 rec
Contract: 1 year $600,000
Combine: 5104 218 4.75 22 34.5 911 4.33 7.13

Winn finds himself in a roster battle once again. A strong inside runner with limited receiving capacity. He is a solid special teams guy. Released from practice squad sept 8

Dwayne Washington Rookie 7th round pick
College: (Washington) 31 games 226/1311/17 41/411/4 rec
Pro Day: 6010 223 4.48 21 37.5 1007 4.22 6.85
Contract: 4 years $468,941

A surprise 7th round pick. Has size and speed but lacks hands and experience. Long shot to make it. Practice squad.

Michael Burton 2nd year in Detroit 16 games 7 starts
5th round pick 2015
Regular Season: 4/20 rush 6/39/1 rec 4 tackles
Pre season 1/14/0 rec
College (Rutgers) 42 games 27 starts 22/116/0 rush  47/401/3 rec
Combine: 5112 242 4.7430 33 908 4.28 7.08
Contract 3 years $571,089

Solid fullback with special teams ability. No competition brought in this offseason.

Justin Forsett 9th year in the NFL 116 games 34 starts
Free Agent 2016 Ravens
Regular Season: 764/3697/18 201/1302/1 rec
College: Cal 49 games 567/3220/26 41/386/1 rec
Combine: 5080 194 4.62 26 31 909 4.46 6.96
Contact 1 year

A veteran who has a lot to prove. turns 31 year old. Waived December 1 picked up Denver

2016 Season:  2 games 28 snaps 13/38/0 rush 2/15 rec

Joique Bell 6th years in the NFL. 72 games 15 starts
Free Agent 2016 Bears
Lions stats: 561/2235/22 rush 161/1640/1 7 Fumbles Lost
Playoffs: 1 Start 12/43 rush 4/42 rec
College: Wayne State 44 games 42 starts 8,055 all-purpose yards. 1181/6727/88 rush

Re-signed December 6 after a short stint in Chicago. Can pass block and receive.