Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder in January and could miss the rest of the off-season, a person with knowledge of the procedure but not authorized to speak about it publicly told the Free Press today.

Abdullah, who led the Lions in rushing yards (597) and the NFL in kick-return yards as a rookie, suffered his injury in a December win over the New Orleans Saints.

He started the final two games of the year, wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, and visited Dr. James Andrews for surgery after the season.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell acknowledged that Abdullah underwent shoulder surgery after the running back missed the third of 10 scheduled Organized Team Activity practices today.

"You know I don’t talk about injuries and all that stuff, and those kind of details," Caldwell said. "But he had a procedure and he’s recovering nicely."

Abdullah, who has been rehabbing in Atlanta and also with the team this off-season, is said to be ahead of schedule in his rehab, but the Lions intend to proceed cautiously until training camp.

Abdullah is expected to start at running back for a revamped Lions offense this fall. Theo Riddick, Stevan Ridley, Zach Zenner and rookie seventh-round pick Dwayne Washington also could be in the mix for playing time.

Lions' Ameer Abdullah talks avoiding domestic violence at HAVEN event

New Detroit Lions RB Stevan Ridley: 'My best years are ahead of me'