From MLive (Kyle Meinke):
Q: How many snaps/usage will Ameer Abdullah get this Sunday? -- Chuck
A: I still believe Joique Bell is this team's starting tailback, and probably its primary tailback. But I also expect Ameer Abdullah to get a ton of action as well, both out of the backfield and as a pass-catcher. He is the Lions' best big-play threat out of the backfield, and will be used accordingly.
Joe Lombardi said this on Thursday about Abdullah's usage: "He's going to get a chance to run the ball, and he's also going to get used extensively in the pass game. Like a lot of running backs, he's a well-rounded player which makes it easy (to keep him out there). People call them 'three-down backs' and he's certainly a guy that can do it all."
I have no idea what that means. Or maybe it means nothing, which would be a great troll on his part. But "extensively" is a strong word, you know?
Q: Under what circumstances do you see Zach Zenner taking carries in regular season? -- Derek Paige
A: The season is a long one, so as long as he doesn't fall on his face, he'll be needed on the active roster at some point. Even George Winn, last year's fourth tailback, earned 19 carries. And Zenner appears to be much further along as a rusher than Winn ever was.
The more interesting question is, does Zenner get any carries against San Diego?
He'll have to be active first, of course, and that's no certainty. The Lions can dress only 46 of their 53 players, and Zenner is a candidate to be one of the seven who are down.
He's stacked behind Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick at the position, so his best case for getting on the field -- or in a jersey at all -- will be on special teams. He worked on the kick and punt return units during the preseason, and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi seemed to see a lot of progress out of him.
But if he does earn a spot on the active roster, I wouldn't be surprised to see Detroit get his feet wet with a carry or two. But not much more than that. Bell and Abdullah are the better rushers, and the ball needs to be in their hands.
Fun side note: Zenner's 24th birthday is the day of the opener. Nothing like getting yourself a $25,588.24 game check as a present, aye?