AP

After being largely phased out of the Lions’ offense, rookie running back Ameer Abdullah said he wanted to show he’s a playmaker. He did that on Sunday in Green Bay, but not on offense.

Abdullah made his big plays on special teams, and for that he’s been named the NFC special teams player of the week.

Abdullah’s 104-yard kickoff return to the 1-yard line set up the Lions’ first touchdown in Sunday’s upset of the Packers. Abdullah and Percy Harvin now share the record for the longest non-touchdown kickoff return in NFL history. Abdullah also had a 30-yard kickoff return on Sunday.

Although Abdullah still isn’t doing much on offense for the Lions (he had 15 rushing yards and seven receiving yards), he is making an impact on a Detroit team that needs some impact players on special teams.