The Sports Xchange

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — It was one meaningless game, but rookie running back Ameer Abdullah looked like the dynamic weapon the Detroit Lions offense needs during a 23-3 preseason win over the New York Jets Thursday at Ford Field.

Abdullah ran for 67 yards on seven carries, including a beautiful 45-yarder in which he juked a linebacker in the backfield then scooted down the right hash.

“He looked like he did in college,” Jets head coach Todd Bowles said. “He’s quick as a cat. He’s about as quick as Barry Sanders. I’m not saying he is Barry, but he’s a good running back.”

Any comparison to the legendary Sanders is obviously premature, but after years of trying to find a speedy threat in the backfield — including drafting Jahvid Best and signing Reggie Bush in free agency — the Lions might have found their long-term solution in the second round of this year’s draft.

“The Lord’s blessed him with some pretty unique talents,” Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said of Abdullah. “He’s the guy that’s very, very quick and he has vision. He has both of those things. Obviously, quickness without vision is a bit of a waste, but he’s got both of those. And you didn’t see him catch the ball at all, but he can catch the ball as well.”

Besides wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the 5-foot-9 Abdullah has been the most consistently impressive player during Lions training camp this year. He runs with purpose on each play and has displayed impressive hands despite being used infrequently as a receiver at Nebraska.

In addition to the 45-yard run, Abdullah used a similar cutback to ditch Jets safety Calvin Pryor in the backfield for a 4-yard gain on the Lions’ opening drive.

“It’s my job to make the first guy miss,” Abdullah said. “It’s something that I take a lot of pride in, and something I’m looking forward to bringing to this team.”

And a year after the Lions ranked 28th in the league in rushing, Abdullah’s burst and lateral quickness could help an offensive line that will likely have three new starters in Week 1.

In Thursday’s blowout, the Lions’ starting offense dominated on its only drive as quarterback Matthew Stafford went 2-for-2 for 57 yards and a touchdown with both throws to wide receiver Golden Tate. The Lions also out-gained the Jets 428 yards to 123 and had just three penalties, making it a solid day all around. A few long returns in the first half by the Jets were the biggest shortcomings for the Lions.

Yet, despite many players impressing, Abdullah stole the show. Joique Bell will likely return from his injury by the end of the preseason, but if Abdullah continues playing like he did Thursday, he could earn starter-level touches immediately as a rookie.

–Wide receiver TJ Jones missed his entire rookie year, including the preseason, but looked like someone worthy of a sixth-round pick during his opportunities Thursday. He finished with a 15-yard catch and had a 9-yarder negated by a defensive penalty. He also had punt returns of 24, 20 and 14 yards, though penalties negated most of the yards on the 20- and 14-yarders.

“My initial thoughts would be that we’re blocking better up front and giving guys a chance to get started, and once TJ got started, he was able to make some things go,” head coach Jim Caldwell said of Thursday’s punt returns. “He has speed, he’s slippery enough to get through some small cracks that he had there, and I think he did a very nice job.”

Asked about being hit in a game for the first time since December 2013, Jones said his reaction was, “Finally.”

“It was like, ‘All right, I got hit; it’s good. I feel normal, get back up,'” he said. “It’s just like the football I’ve played in the past, so it’s definitely a good feeling.”