New offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter sees a larger role in Detroit's offense for Abdullah, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News reports.
Abdullah has seen fewer than 10 touches in four of the Lions' first eight games, including in consecutive games before the bye and a one-touch contest in Week 8. Mental lapses have likely played a part in his relatively small role as he has fumbled the ball four times thus far this season and quit on a route that led to an interception in Week 8, afterwhich he did not receive a touch for the remainder of the game. The Lions have far and away the league's weakest running attack at under 70 yards per game and the dynamic rookie is a logical place for the offense to turn to for answers. It would be shrewd, however, to wait to see Abdullah's role change in the offense before inserting him into your lineup.