Theo Riddick probably will replace Abdullah in the starting lineup Sunday at Green Bay (1-1) and will be backed up by rookie Dwayne Washington. In three seasons with the Patriots, the Marshall product caught 53 passes for 698 yards and 4 TDs.
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Abdullah, who had six carries for 38 yards at that point, did not play in the first series of the second half. Four Lions carried the ball for a total of 82 yards rushing.
Riddick ran for 45 yards on seven carries in a season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts and had a career-high 11 carries – eight of them after Abdullah’s injury – in last weekend’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.
The Lions picked Abdullah in the second round of the 2015 National Football League draft out of Nebraska, and he started nine of 16 games last season, rushing for 597 yards with two touchdowns.
The 23-year-old Abdullah could return later this season as the franchise can bring back one player off injured reserve. Abdullah visited North Carolina foot specialist Dr.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is scheduled to speak Wednesday as well as Head Coach Jim Caldwell. The Lions 6-foot-1, 223-pound back has rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown this season, and gives Detroit the option to use a bigger back in third-and-short situations.
Zenner, a preseason standout in 2015, has been inactive the first two contests.
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“Guys got to step up and play”, Caldwell said. The Lions released receiver Isaac Fruechte and guard Chase Farris from the practice squad.
