Theo Riddick sat out of all of spring practice while recovering from double wrist surgery, but the fifth-year running back expects to be ready when the Detroit Lions open training camp on Sunday.

Riddick’s surgically repaired wrists are structurally sound, a person familiar with his rehab told the Detroit Free Press, though it’s unclear how or if the Lions will limit his practice load early in camp.

Last year, the Lions kept starting running back Ameer Abdullah in a red no-contact jersey for the first three weeks or so of camp while he recovered from shoulder surgery.

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Abdullah logged just four carries and played in one preseason game last summer, and sat out the Lions’ joint practices with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Abdullah, who underwent Lisfranc surgery last September, worked as the Lions’ No. 1 running back all spring. Riddick spent part of some organized team activity workouts and mandatory minicamp working on the side with trainers.

The Lions could designate injured players like Taylor Decker for the physically unable to perform list as soon as Tuesday, and when they do, Riddick does not expect to be on the list.

Last year, Riddick missed six games with wrist and ankle injuries, but still finished as the Lions’ leading rusher with 357 yards and was one of five Lions to top 50 catches.

In 2015, Riddick, who signed a three-year extension last summer, tied for the NFL lead among running backs with 80 receptions.

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The Lions sorely missed his versatility during last year’s 9-7 season, when they finished 20th in the league in scoring, and coach Jim Caldwell said this spring that Riddick will play a major role as a pass-catching back once again this fall.

“We try to play to guys’ strengths,” Caldwell said during June minicamp. “Theo’s carried the ball for us some, but he’s also been deadly out of the backfield. We’re certainly not going to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to put him in the backfield and run him 50 times and throw the ball to him two times.’ That’s not his strength. So we still try to play to guys’ strengths. He’s been talented for us in both areas, but he’s been deadly in the passing game. So I think that’s going to continue, at least we hope.”

The Lions are expected to employ a backfield by committee again this year with Abdullah, Riddick and Zach Zenner at the front of the rotation.

Last year, the Lions finished 30th in the NFL in rushing.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!