Ameer Abdullah
Ameer Abdullah | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 13, 1993 Homewood, Alabama, U.S. |
| Occupation | Professional football running back |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Known for | Running back for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL; played college football at Nebraska Cornhuskers |
Ameer Abdullah (born June 13, 1993) is a professional football running back currently playing for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions after showcasing his talents at the collegiate level with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In 2013, Abdullah achieved a rushing total of 1,690 yards, ranking as the fourth-highest single-season mark in Nebraska’s history. Opting to stay for his senior year rather than enter the draft early, he was regarded as a potential candidate for the 2014 Heisman Trophy. Abdullah’s hometown is Homewood, Alabama.
Early life
In his final year of high school, Abdullah accumulated 1,800 rushing yards, added 515 receiving yards, and returned four punts for touchdowns while playing at Homewood High School. His outstanding performance earned him the title of South region player of the year in 2010. During the 2010 Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic, he secured the victory by scoring the decisive touchdown in overtime.
Besides football, Abdullah also excelled in track and field at Homewood. He posted a personal best of 11.15 seconds in the 100 meters during the 2011 AHSAA 6A Section 3 Championships, finishing seventh in the preliminaries. Additionally, he competed in the long jump, achieving a top mark of 6.60 meters.
College decision
Abdullah received multiple scholarship offers to play football; however, schools such as Alabama and Auburn sought to utilize him as a cornerback, whereas he preferred to remain a running back. The commitment from Nebraska’s coach Bo Pelini to deploy him where his skills would be best utilized was instrumental in Abdullah’s choice to attend Nebraska.
2011
Among six true freshman who saw playing time for Nebraska in 2011, Abdullah’s most notable performance was against Fresno State, where he totaled 228 return yards, including a kickoff return touchdown covering 100 yards. This kickoff return yardage set a new record for Nebraska. His top rushing effort that season was a total of 36 yards with a longest run of 24 yards against the Wyoming Cowboys. On November 12, he recorded his first collegiate rushing touchdown versus Penn State. Over the course of the season, Abdullah accumulated 150 rushing yards with three rushing touchdowns, returned kicks 26 times for 763 yards and one touchdown, and also returned punts 15 times for 107 yards.
2012
Following an injury to Rex Burkhead, Abdullah started seven games beginning with a standout showing against UCLA, rushing for 119 yards and scoring twice. He posted a career-high run of 45 yards and totaled 167 rushing yards with two touchdowns against Arkansas State. Additionally, he scored a punt return touchdown against Idaho State. In the matchup versus Wisconsin, he amassed 252 all-purpose yards, including 142 kickoff return yards. After rushing for 116 yards against Penn State, Abdullah surpassed the milestone of 1,000 career rushing yards. His averages stood at 134.5 all-purpose yards per game (ranking fourth in the Big Ten Conference) and 81.2 rushing yards per game (ninth). He completed the season with totals of 1,137 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, along with 24 receptions for 178 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, and one punt return touchdown.
2013
Abdullah achieved over 100 rushing yards in 11 out of 13 games, placing him fourth in Nebraska's history for the most regular-season 100-yard rushing games. He began the season with 114 yards on the ground against both Wyoming and Southern Miss, scoring twice in the latter matchup. Following a 98-yard performance versus UCLA, he recorded a career-best 225 rushing yards against Illinois. Other significant outings included 126 yards and a touchdown against Purdue, 165 yards at Minnesota, and touchdowns both rushing and receiving against Michigan and Michigan State. He averaged 130.7 rushing yards per contest (ranking second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally) and accumulated 232 receiving yards, resulting in an average of 154.9 all-purpose yards per game (second in the Big Ten). Abdullah received first-team All-Big Ten honors from coaches and media alike and was named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. He wrapped up the season with a 122-yard, one-touchdown effort in Nebraska’s Gator Bowl triumph over Georgia. His season totals included 1,690 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 26 receptions for 232 yards, and two receiving touchdowns.
After the Gator Bowl, Abdullah contemplated entering the 2014 NFL draft but ultimately decided to return to Nebraska for his senior year, underscoring the value he placed on completing his college education to support long-term success beyond football.
2014
In 2014, Sporting News ranked Abdullah among the top ten candidates for the Heisman Trophy and identified him as the fourth-best returning running back.
During September 2014, Sporting News analysts Eric Galko and Ian Wharton praised Abdullah’s comprehensive running back abilities: his low center of gravity making him difficult to tackle, combined with exceptional balance, vision, patience, explosiveness, agility, and leg strength when contacted. They described him as "the most well-rounded tailback in the country."
Nebraska actively promoted Abdullah’s Heisman candidacy by distributing AA batteries to media members and launching a dedicated website. Abdullah also trained alongside 2013 Heisman winner Jameis Winston in Birmingham, Alabama.
In December 2014, Abdullah received the Senior CLASS Award, which honors senior college athletes excelling in character, academics, community involvement, and athletic performance.
Throughout the season, Abdullah delivered several remarkable performances:
- Achieved a career-high of 232 rushing yards on 21 carries (averaging 11 yards per carry), including a 47-yard touchdown run during a dominant 55–7 victory over Florida Atlantic; earned Big Ten offensive player of the week on September 1.
- Against McNeese State, he rushed for 67 yards on 17 attempts and caught three passes totaling 96 yards, highlighted by a game-winning 58-yard run.
- Recorded 110 rushing yards on 19 carries with a 57-yard touchdown in a commanding 55–19 win over Fresno State.
- Compiled 229 yards on 35 carries with two touchdowns versus Miami Hurricanes; surpassed Nebraska’s all-purpose yardage record with a career total of 5,762 yards; shared Big Ten co-offensive player of the week honors with Melvin Gordon on September 22.
- Rushed for 208 yards and scored three touchdowns during a 45–14 victory over Illinois; named Big Ten offensive player of the week again on September 29.
- Limited to just 45 rushing yards but scored twice in a defeat against Michigan State.
- Posted four touchdowns and rushed for 146 yards against Northwestern.
- Delivered his best single-game output against Rutgers with 225 rushing yards on just 19 carries (an average of 11.8 yards per carry) along with four touchdowns; added two receptions for 26 yards and returned two kickoffs for a combined 90 yards—setting a new Nebraska single-game all-purpose yardage record of 341.
On October 27, Abdullah earned Big Ten offensive player of the week honors for the fourth time that season and was named to the Paul Hornung Award honor roll for the third occasion.
He suffered a mild MCL sprain accompanied by bruising during November's game versus Purdue after six carries totaling one yard; Coach Pelini remained hopeful about his availability for the upcoming Wisconsin game.
Following his injury, Abdullah’s performances included:
- Rushing for 69 yards and catching one pass for 26 yards in a loss to Wisconsin.
- Gaining 98 rushing yards while scoring a touchdown in defeat against Minnesota.
- Surpassing the century mark on the ground along with two receptions—including one receiving touchdown—in an overtime win over Iowa.
- In his final collegiate appearance during the Holiday Bowl against Southern California, he totaled 88 rushing yards with one touchdown plus six receptions for 61 yards despite narrowly losing the game.
Statistics
Yearly rushing and receiving performance:
| Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Attempts | Yards | Average | Longest | Touchdowns | Receptions | Yards | Average | Longest | Touchdowns |
| 2011 | 42 | 150 | 3.6 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 | 226 | 1,137 | 5.0 | 45 | 8 | 24 | 178 | 7.4 | 26 | 2 |
| 2013 | 281 | 1,690 | 6.0 | 62 | 9 | 26 | 232 | 8.9 | 40 | 2 |
| 2014 | 264 | 1,611 | 6.1 | 57 | 19 | 22 | 269 | 12.2 | 58 | 3 |
| Career | 813 | 4,588 | 5.6 | 62 | 39 | 73 | 690 | 9.5 | 58 | 7 |
Yearly punt return, kickoff return, and total all-purpose yardage figures:
| Punt Returns | Kick Returns | All-Purpose Yards | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Attempts | Yards | Average | Touchdowns | Attempts | Yards | Average | Touchdowns | Total Attempts | Total Yards | Average per Attempt | Touchdowns |
| 2011 | 15 | 107 | 7.1 | 0 | 26 | 763 | 29.3 | 1 | 84 | 1,031 | 12.3 | 4 |
| 2012 | 16 | 209 | 13.1 | 1 | 17 | 360 | 21.2 | 0 | 283 | 1,904 | 6.7 | 11 |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 77 | 19.3 | 0 | 311 | 1,999 | 6.4 | 11 | |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 272 | 24.7 | 0 | 297 | 2,152 | 7.2 | 22 | |
| Career | 31 | 316 | 10.2 | 1 | 59 | 1,492 | 24.9 | 1 | 975 | 7,086 | 7.3 | 48 |
2015 season
Selected in the second round as the 54th overall pick by the Detroit Lions during the 2015 NFL draft, Abdullah was the fourth running back chosen that year. On May 14, 2015, he agreed to a four-year contract valued at $4.15 million, which included $1.85 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.28 million.
Abdullah began his rookie campaign positioned as the Lions' third-string running back behind established players Joique Bell and Theo Riddick. In his debut game, he carried the ball seven times for 50 yards and caught four passes totaling 44 yards, scoring his inaugural touchdown on a 24-yard run against the San Diego Chargers. The next week, he earned his first starting assignment facing the Minnesota Vikings. On September 27, he secured his first receiving touchdown on a 16-yard reception from Matt Stafford in a matchup versus the Denver Broncos.
By Week 12, Abdullah had assumed the starting running back role, rushing for a season-high 63 yards on 16 attempts against the Philadelphia Eagles, a position he retained through the remainder of the season. On December 21, he notched nine carries for a personal best of 77 rushing yards and scored his second rushing touchdown in a game against the New Orleans Saints.
Concluding his rookie season, Abdullah amassed 143 rushes for 597 yards with two rushing touchdowns alongside 25 receptions for 183 yards and one receiving touchdown. He started in nine contests and appeared in all sixteen games, earning recognition as Detroit Sports Media's Lions' Rookie of the Year for 2015.
2016 season
Abdullah entered his sophomore year as the Detroit Lions' lead running back. In the opening game against the Indianapolis Colts, he logged 12 rushing attempts for 63 yards and caught five passes totaling 57 yards, including a touchdown, helping secure a 39–35 victory. On September 18, he gained 38 yards on six carries versus the Tennessee Titans before suffering a foot injury. A torn ligament in his left foot prematurely ended his season, leading to the Lions placing him on injured reserve on September 21.
2017 season
During the September 18, 2017 matchup against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, Abdullah achieved a then personal best of 86 rushing yards on 17 carries in a 24–10 win. In Week 4 against the Vikings, he surpassed that with a career-high 94 rushing yards and scored a touchdown in a close 14–7 victory. Abdullah found the end zone on the ground in back-to-back games during Weeks 9 and 10 facing the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns, then added a receiving touchdown against the Chicago Bears. He wrapped up the season with totals of 552 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, along with 25 receptions for 162 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
2018 season
Starting the 2018 campaign behind veteran LeGarrette Blount, Abdullah was soon overtaken by rookie Kerryon Johnson as the primary back. He participated in three games mainly contributing on special teams before being released on November 6, 2018.
Minnesota Vikings
The day following his release, November 7, 2018, Abdullah was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings, where he primarily served as a kick return specialist that season.
Abdullah secured a new contract with the Vikings on March 18, 2019. Over the course of that year’s season, he appeared in all 16 games, rushing for 115 yards on 23 carries and adding 15 receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown.
He re-signed with Minnesota again on March 27, 2020. Throughout the 2020 season, Abdullah amassed a total of 100 scrimmage yards along with two receiving touchdowns.
On August 31, 2021, Abdullah was released but immediately added to the practice squad the following day. He earned promotion to the active roster on September 18 but was briefly cut three days later before returning to the practice squad. He was reinstated to the active roster on September 25 and ultimately released once more on October 19.
Carolina Panthers
Abdullah inked a deal with the Carolina Panthers on October 23, 2021. That season, he recorded 51 rushing attempts for 166 yards and caught 38 passes for 289 yards including one receiving touchdown.
Las Vegas Raiders
On March 18, 2022, Abdullah signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. During that year’s campaign, he played in 17 games contributing with 25 receptions for 211 yards and one receiving touchdown while also participating in kickoff return duties. He extended his contract with the Raiders on March 9, 2023. In the subsequent season, Abdullah appeared in all 17 games providing value both as a rusher and receiver as well as on special teams.
Abdullah re-signed again with Las Vegas on March 8, 2024. In that ongoing season, he carried the ball 66 times for a total of 311 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns while also catching 40 passes for 261 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
San Francisco 49ers
Abdullah agreed to a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on July 31, 2025. He was designated to injured reserve on August 11 and then released on August 19.
Indianapolis Colts
On September 8, 2025, Abdullah became a member of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. Due to an injury to backup Tyler Goodson, he was elevated to the main roster on October 18.
NFL career statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| League leader | |
| Bold | Personal best |
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Kick returns | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||||||||||||||
| 2015 | DET | 16 | 9 | 143 | 597 | 4.2 | 36 | 2 | 25 | 183 | 7.3 | 36 | 1 | 37 | 1,077 | 29.1 | 104 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | DET | 2 | 2 | 18 | 101 | 5.6 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 57 | 11.4 | 18 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | DET | 14 | 11 | 165 | 552 | 3.3 | 34 | 4 | 25 | 162 | 6.5 | 22 | 1 | 8 | 179 | 22.4 | 29 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | DET | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 107 | 26.8 | 33 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| MIN | 7 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 258 | 25.8 | 33 | 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2019 | MIN | 16 | 0 | 23 | 115 | 5.0 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 88 | 5.9 | 16 | 1 | 13 | 325 | 25.0 | 38 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2020 | MIN | 16 | 0 | 8 | 42 | 5.3 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 58 | 7.3 | 22 | 2 | 15 | 352 | 23.5 | 33 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | MIN | 6 | 0 | 7 | 30 | 4.3 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 5.7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 162 | 23.1 | 45 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| CAR | 11 | 1 | 44 | 136 | 3.1 | 15 | 0 | 35 | 272 | 7.8 | 23 | 1 | 22 | 484 | 22.0 | 39 | 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | LV | 17 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 5.0 | 7 | 0 | 25 | 211 | 8.4 | 23 | 1 | 26 | 543 | 20.9 | 33 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | LV | 17 | 0 | 15 | 89 | 5.9 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 131 | 6.9 | 18 | 0 | – | – | – | – | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | LV | 16 | 3 | 66 | 311 | 4.7 | 40 | 2 | 40 | 261 | 6.5 | 24 | 3 | 9 | 296 | 32.9 | 68 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Career | 141 | 26 | 494 | 1994 | 4.0 | 40 | 8 | 203 | 1468 | 7.2 | 36 | 11 | 151 | 3783 | 25.1 | 104 | 0 | |||||||||||||
Postseason
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Kick returns | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2016 | DET | 0 | 0 | Inactive due to injury | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | MIN | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 151 | 25.2 | 39 | 0 |
| Career | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 151 | 25.2 | 39 | 0 | |
Personal life
Born on June 13, 1993, in Homewood, Alabama, Abdullah is the youngest of nine siblings born to Kareem and Aisha Abdullah. During his college years, he pursued a degree in History. His father, Kareem, holds the position of an imam and acts as a spiritual guide.
As a practicing Muslim, Abdullah maintains his commitment to daily prayers and observes fasting during Ramadan, even throughout the football season. He attributes his enhanced mental resilience and self-discipline to fasting during Ramadan, noting that it positively influences his concentration and performance during training.
External links
- 1993 births
- Living people
- African-American Muslims
- People from Homewood, Alabama
- Players of American football from Jefferson County, Alabama
- American football running backs
- Nebraska Cornhuskers football players
- Detroit Lions players
- Minnesota Vikings players
- Carolina Panthers players
- Las Vegas Raiders players
- Muslims from Alabama
- San Francisco 49ers players
- Indianapolis Colts players