Detroit Lions

Without Abdullah, Dwayne Washington needs to shine

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Next man up, that’s the mentality across the league. When a player can’t be on the field whether it be due to an injury or suspension, the guy behind him needs to make the same impact as the starter would.

Sometimes these expectations are impossible. Sometimes the guy behind can do his job well enough to fill the hole. And sometimes, in very rare situations, the backup ends up becoming “the guy.”

Last week, Ameer Abdullah left the game with a foot injury and subsequently the Lions run offense struggled for the remainder of the game. Theo Riddick attempted to keep the offense afloat, but he can’t do everything alone. In order to keep the success they have had this season, even without Abdullah, Detroit needs to keep a running back rotation going. And those extra carries need to go to their rookie seventh-round pick, Dwayne Washington.

Sep 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington (36) celebrates scoring a touchdown with quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Riddick should be getting the start this week, but asking him to carry the load isn’t reasonable. He’s best in the passing game, and when he does run, it needs to come as a surprise. Placing Washington in Abdullah’s spot allows the offense to get their rookie running back more looks, and more importantly, keep their offense as similar as possible.

Splitting carries will also make the transition easier for when Abdullah does come back . Rather than changing the offensive flow in week 3, and then again whenever he returns, it stays consistent throughout.

Now I understand that Washington isn’t as good as Abdullah. Honestly, I’m not completely sure he’s a better runner than Riddick is yet, but that’s not the point. What matters most is that they continue to run a two running back offense. The worst possible thing they could do is run Riddick into the ground while Abdullah is recovering. If that were to happen then when Abdullah finally returned, the backfield still wouldn’t be at its potential.

Just because Washington was drafted in the seventh round doesn’t make him a bad player either. Throughout college, the ability was obviously there, but the biggest knock on his game was ball security. Plenty of players have come into the pro game and fixed their fumblitis. So who’s to say this problem isn’t already in Washington’s past?

Washington most likely worked on holding onto the ball throughout training camp to prove to Detroit that they don’t need to worry about him losing the ball. Also in his many preseason, and limited regular season carries, Washington has shown the ability to be productive at the NFL level. Hopefully, this play continues, and he consistently produces for the Lions. And hopefully, continue to succeed even after Abdullah returns.

Having too many good players isn’t a bad thing. And if Washington can contribute now, as well as after Abdullah returns, then the Lions and their newfound rushing attack should have continued success.