Former Vikings RB Signs with Colts
Back in 2015, when the Detroit Lions were still a lowly franchise, the club drafted a running back named Ameer Abdullah in the 2nd Round.
An ex-Vikings halfback, now an NFL journeyman, has signed with the Indianapolis Colts and will attempt to see regular season action.
The man never quite lived up to his 2nd-Round stock but has found staying power in the NFL. Abdullah played for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to 2021, and will now try on the Indianapolis Colts for size.
Ex-Vikings Tailback Lands with Colts
Abdullah will vie for a regular season appearance if injuries emerge.
Ameer Abdullah to Indy
It’s a done deal. Abdullah is a Colt.
The Colts’ communications team announced the signing on Monday: “The Indianapolis Colts today signed running back Ameer Abdullah to the practice squad and released running back Khalil Herbert from the practice squad.”
“Abdullah, 5-9, 203 pounds, has played in 141 career games (26 starts) in his time with the San Francisco 49ers (2025), Las Vegas Raiders (2022-24), Carolina Panthers (2021), Minnesota Vikings (2018-21) and Detroit Lions (2015-18). He has compiled 494 carries for 1,994 yards (4.0 avg.) and eight touchdowns. Abdullah has registered 203 receptions for 1,468 yards (7.2 avg.) and 11 touchdowns.”
The move turned heads because most NFL pundits and fans consider Herbert a hotter commodity than Abdullah. Indianapolis disagreed.
Indianapolis’ RB Room
Adding Abdullah to the practice squad, here’s the lay of the land at running back for Shane Steichen’s team, a club that eviscerated the Miami Dolphins in Week 1:
- Jonathan Taylor
- Tyler Goodson
- D.J. Giddens
- Ulysses Benley IV
- Ameer Abdullah
- Salvon Ahmed (IR)
Taylor runs the show in that room, beyond the shadow of a doubt, and Abdullah may be in the mix for special teams insurance. He’s returned 161 kicks and punts in his 10-season career.
Expected Role
Goodson is banged up at the moment, so the Abdullah move looks like RB insurance just in case.
Taylor will still obviously control the bellcow RB1 responsibilities, but if something happened to him or Giddens, a rookie, Abdullah could be called up from the practice squad. Indianapolis can promote Abdullah three times to the gameday roster before having to sign him to the active depth chart or release him.
Abdullah’s Time in Minnesota
Here’s Abdullah’s NFL resume to date:
- Detroit Lions (2015–2018)
- Minnesota Vikings (2018–2021)
- Carolina Panthers (2021)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2024)
- San Francisco 49ers (2025)
- Indianapolis Colts (2025–now)
Abdullah played for the Vikings in four seasons, appearing in 45 games while starting none and totaling 187 rushing yards on 38 attempts. He also caught 27 passes for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns. During most of his tenure in the Twin Cities, former Vikings skipper Mike Zimmer used Abdullah as a kick returner and special teams asset.
Colts-Themed Media on Abdullah
Colts Wire‘s Paul Bretl noted on the Abdullah addition: ‘The corresponding move in order to make room for Abdullah was that the Colts released running back Khalil Herbert. The Colts signed Herbert as a free agent earlier this offseason and released him during roster cutdowns before bringing him back to the practice squad.”
“Abdullah is a former second-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions in 2015. His greatest impact has often come as a return man. As a rookie, Abullah averaged nearly 30 yards per return on kickoffs and recorded 1,080 return yards. For his career, Abdullah has 157 kick return attempts, averaging 25.1 yards per return.”
Abdullah turned 32 this summer.
Bretl added, “Last season with Las Vegas, he handled punt return duties as well. Out of the backfield, Abdullah has two seasons where he eclipsed 500 rushing yards back in 2015 and 2017. Most recently with the Raiders, he rushed for 311 yards. Abdullah has been a steady contributor in the passing game over his career as well.”
“More than anything, my guess is that the Colts made this move because they view Abdullah as an upgrade over Herbert.”
The Vikings will play the Colts again in 2028.
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