Schefter: Minnesota Vikings claim running back Ameer Abdullah off waivers

When you look at the Minnesota Vikings’ roster for positions that they could stand to use a little help at, the running back spot probably isn’t one that immediately jumps out at you.

Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer, apparently, disagree.

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the Vikings have claimed former Detroit Lions’ running back Ameer Abdullah off of waivers.

Abdullah played his college football at the University of Nebraska, and was the Lions’ second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He led the National Football League in kick return yards in his rookie season, but after returning 37 kickoffs that season, he’s only returned 12 in his career since then.

Abdullah’s stats as a running back don’t really jump off the page or anything. He played in 38 games in his career with the Lions, starting 22 of them. During that time, he carried the ball 327 times for 1,251 yards and six touchdowns, and caught 80 passes for 420 yards and three more scores. He did miss nearly all of the 2016 season with a foot injury that he suffered in Week 2, and appeared in just three games this season, carrying the ball just one time.

With the injuries suffered by Dalvin Cook and Roc Thomas this season, the Vikings may have thought they could use some more depth at the running back position. I suppose they could also give Abdullah an opportunity to return kicks again, but we’ll have to see what happens.

In any event, the Vikings claiming Ameer Abdullah comes as a bit of a surprise, and we’ll have to see what the corresponding roster move will be to allow him to come aboard.

Welcome to Minnesota, Ameer Abdullah!