LaDainian Tomlinson: Lions need to find Robin to RB Abdullah's Batman:

HOUSTON -- The Detroit Lions don't need to overhaul their running game or find a workhorse for their backfield. What they do need, one sure-fire Hall of Fame running back said, is a power option to complement Ameer Abdullah.

"He needs (a partner)," NFL Network analyst LaDainian Tomlinson said Monday at Super Bowl LI media night. "I should say, a Robin. If he’s Batman, he needs a Robin."

Abdullah led the Lions with 597 yards rushing as a rookie in 2015 and got off to a fast start this season with 101 yards on 18 carries before a foot injury ended his season in Week 2.

The Lions have the fewest rushing yards in the NFL over the past two seasons and Tomlinson, who's expected to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, admitted he's "a little bit" worried about Abdullah's health.

Still, Tomlinson said Abdullah, who played through a torn labrum in his shoulder late in the 2015 season, has traits that can make him a special running back.

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"When you have a guy that can make people miss, it’s a special gift, because a lot of the runners, you run into these guys and you only last so long," Tomlinson said. "If you’ve got a guy that can make people miss, he can last."

Lions general manager Bob Quinn acknowledged this past month he wants to upgrade his team's rushing attack this off-season.

Along with Abdullah, Theo Riddick is coming off a season-ending wrist injury, and the Lions got inconsistent play from backups Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner as well as their offensive line.

Latavius Murray, who ran for 1,066 yards in 2015, is the top running back currently slated for free agency this off-season, and the draft is deep at the position with Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey among potential first-round picks.

“They’re going to have to get somebody to go along with Ameer Abdullah," Tomlinson said. "I don’t think you just totally do away with Ameer. He’s had some injury problems, but he has showed some promise that he can be a special-type player, he just needs someone to help him."

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