Ameer Abdullah, Dylan Laube Competing For RB3 Role
The Athletic's Tashan Reed writes that Las Vegas Raiders running backs Ameer Abdullah and rookie sixth-rounder Dylan Laube are in a position battle to determine who will be the third-down running back behind Zamir White and Alexander Mattison. Neither Abdullah nor Laube made much of an impact in the preseason opener last weekend against the Minnesota Vikings, so the competition remains a toss-up as of right now. The 31-year-old Abdullah probably has a leg up just because of his familiarity with the offense after catching 19 of his 24 targets in 2023 for 131 yards in 17 games played. However, unless one of White or Mattison miss time with an injury this year, it's hard to foresee Abdulla or Laube having much fantasy appeal outside of very deep PPR leagues.
The Raiders re-signed running back Ameer Abdullah, the team announced on Friday. The 2015 No. 54 overall pick has played in 125 regular season games, amassing 1,683 yards and six touchdowns off 428 carries. He's also made eight more trips to the end zone as a pass-catcher. While the Raiders backfield situation remains a work in progress heading toward the 2024-25 campaign, there could be an opportunity for Abdullah to get more involved. However, that's not likely, as he's anticipated to remain buried on the depth chart, although he should get a few touches each game. That said, that won't make him relevant for fantasy managers.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah has been the primary passing downs back for the team when Josh Jacobs is not carrying the load. Jacobs sustained a knee injury in the Week 14 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The injury has lingered and caused Jacobs to miss every practice this week. With Jacobs' status in doubt for Thursday night's contest against the Los Angeles Chargers, Abdullah could step into a more significant role. Although fellow running back Zamir White should handle the bulk of the carries, Abdullah has demonstrated his ability as a pass-catching running back. The Raiders trust Abdullah on passing downs and in the two-minute offense, which could lead to sneaky production in PPR leagues. Fantasy managers likely have better options this week, but Abdullah may be able to put up a decent performance this week based on passing game usage.
Ameer Abdullah Steps In For Josh Jacobs In Week 14
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah has been virtually non-existent for the Raiders for most of the season, but he saw increased usage after Josh Jacobs left the game with a knee injury. Abdullah had one carry for 12 yards and two receptions for seven yards. The Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. The Chargers defense is more vulnerable through the air than on the ground, which favors Abdullah. Abdullah's role in the offense could expand if Jacobs cannot suit up for that game. Savvy fantasy managers should consider adding Abdullah for his role in the Raiders passing attack.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah has been virtually non-existent for the Raiders for most of the season. Abdullah had several games without a single carry this year but saw increased usage in the blowout win against the New York Giants in Week 9. The backup running back had two carries for eight yards to go along with two catches for 17 yards. The Raiders take on the New York Jets on Sunday night in Week 10. While the increased usage was excellent for Abdullah, he will likely see less volume. The Raiders will likely be in a close contest against the Jets this week. Fantasy managers only need to roster Abdullah in leagues once his usage increases.
Ameer Abdullah, Zamir White Splitting First-Team Reps
Las Vegas Raiders running backs Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White are reportedly sharing all the first-team reps at training camp while Josh Jacobs (holdout) remains absent. Jacobs is unhappy with the team's attempt to place the franchise tag on him, so Abdullah and White will see plenty of additional reps as long as he is out. Tashan Reed of the Athletic said White is taking most of the carries and Abdullah is the primary pass-catching back, but ideally, White will be able to separate himself soon and handle a bigger chunk of the touches. It's too early to know if Jacobs will miss any time, but White could be a huge bargain in preseason drafts if he's forced into a starting role and Abdullah could have at least some value in PPR formats.
The Las Vegas Raiders re-signed running back Ameer Abdullah to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to a league source. Abdullah caught 25 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown in 17 games (zero starts) in his first season with the Raiders in 2022. He carried the ball only four times for 20 yards. The Raiders placed the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs, last year's leading NFL rusher, and the team also still has Zamir White and Brandon Bolden. With Jacobs locked in as the unquestioned bell-cow back in Vegas, Abdullah isn't expected to have anything other than a small role in the passing game once again in 2023, severely limiting his fantasy appeal to cavernous PPR leagues.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (hamstring) doesn't carry an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Rams. He was limited at practice earlier in the week, but it will be all systems go for Thursday Night Football. The 29-year-old has a vital role in passing-down situations, catching 18 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown over 12 games in 2022. Abdullah is a boom-or-bust flex in PPR formats for Week 14 against a Rams defense that is 27th in rush DVOA versus opposing running backs.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah rushed three times for 16 yards and caught all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in the 40-34 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. Abdullah has just one touchdown and 21 touches on the season, so there's not much to takeaway here except he would have some solid PPR value if Josh Jacobs had to miss any time down the stretch. For now, he remains off the fantasy radar, but it was nice to see the veteran running back find the end zone.
Ameer Abdullah Should Remain Involved In Passing Game
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah should, at a very minimum, get involved in the passing game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12. The 29-year-old has yet to rush the ball this season, but he does have 14 catches and 81 receiving yards over the last five weeks. He should see at least a few targets on Sunday, and he even has a chance to register his first rush of the year if Josh Jacobs (calf) is inactive or limited. For the most part, Abdullah's fantasy ceiling hinges on Jacobs' availability, but he does have a steady floor given his guaranteed role in the passing game. He ranks as an RB5 in fantasy football with room to rise.
Ameer Abdullah
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