Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) chases him during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Veteran running back Ameer Abdullah hasn't gotten 10 or more rushing attempts in a game since the 2017 season, before all but three of his current Raiders' teammates had even started their NFL careers.
That streak likely ends this weekend when the Raiders (2-8) host the AFC West divisional rival Denver Broncos (6-5) at Allegiant Stadium. The 31-year-old Abdullah sat as the Raiders' first-string running back as they began preparations for the Week 12 matchup Wednesday at their Henderson headquarters.
"I see myself as the starter," Abdullah said. "I think every guy in the room does. I consider myself the best back on this team just like every back does. This is an opportunity to go out there and put my best foot forward."
Abdullah came to the Raiders via free agency three years ago as his fourth NFL stop -- following stints with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers. He's primarily been used as a third-down specialist and special teams asset ever since with a pair of running backs ahead of him on the depth chart.
That's still the case, but both of this year's featured backs came out of last week's loss at the Miami Dolphins injured and did not practice Wednesday.
Alexander Mattison hurt his ankle. He's had a walking boot on ever since, though seems to be moving well enough that it's likely not a long-term injury.
Zamir White wasn't spotted at the team's facility Wednesday, but he's dealing with a quad injury that took him out of the Miami game after only five carries for nine yards.
Pierce wouldn't rule out either Mattison or White for the Broncos' game, but he also expressed confidence in Abdullah.
"If he happens to be the lead back this week, we're going to feel really comfortable about him," Pierce said. "He's an explosive player, he's a vet, he knows the system and is very savvy."
Pierce also mentioned rookie sixth-round pick Dylan Laube, who lost a fumble in his lone NFL carry so far and has been inactive ever since, and practice-squad staple Sincere McCormick as running backs who could contribute.
No matter who's playing, Pierce's wishes for the offense won't change.
"I'm going to go back to it: You want to see the running game get going," Pierce said. "We just need that balance, can't keep throwing the ball 40 times a game -- just hasn't worked out for us winning ballgames."
Las Vegas now sits last in the NFL at 3.5 yards per rushing attempt on the season. Mattison, White and Abdullah combined for 29 yards on 11 carries against the Dolphins -- and that wasn't even the Raiders' worst rushing statistics line of the year.
Abdullah hasn't played nearly as much as the other two, but he's been the most efficient runner of the trio with 82 yards on 17 carries. That comes out to 4.8 yards per carry, 1.5 yards better than Mattison's average and 2 yards better than White's number.
Much of that number comes from a 40-yard run he broke in the first half of the Raiders' initial game this season against the Broncos, a 34-18 loss in Week 5.
It was the longest run of his career -- breaking a 36-yard gain as a rookie with the Lions -- and showed he still has the open-field speed and cutback ability to shine.
"For me, the game changes every single year but I have my process of what I need to eliminate and focus on," Abdullah said. "I think when you have that kind of process that when a lot of things are being thrown at you, focus on what your job is and what you've been asked to do, it makes things a lot easier."
That's a lesson he's tried to instill into Laube, who's been eagerly anticipating another chance to get on to the field.
Abdullah has been Laube's biggest supporter since training camp -- where he coined the rookie "special" -- so it would be meaningful to him if they ended up splitting carries in a game.
"This game is not an easy game and this position, I feel like it's one of the toughest positions mentally because for one there can only be one guy out there most of the time," Abdullah said. "Receivers, they have three to four guys out there...Being in the unique situation of playing running back can take a toll on you mentally. Of course, (Laube's) had some roller coaster up and down in his rookie year but he's a heck of a player and he'll get another shot. I told him that, and here it is."
"I expect Dylan to have a great game Sunday."
Laube said he was looking forward to, "a fun one," against the Broncos. It won't be an easy one for Abdullah and Laube to step into considering the Broncos are fourth in the NFL in giving up only 3.8 yards per carry.
Abdullah welcomes the challenge. He technically last started a game in 2021 with the Panthers but that was only because they trotted out a two-running back set open a contest with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Abdullah wound up with one carry for six yards that day, with Christian McCaffrey taking the bulk of the workload. The most action Abdullah has gotten in silver and black came in mop-up duty of last year's record-setting 63-21 victory over the Chargers when he had six carries for 32 yards and two receptions for 13 years.
But he's been waiting for a moment like the one on Sunday may provide where he can showcase the reason for his longevity in the sport.
"A lot of faith, a little bit of luck and a lot of purpose," Abdullah said of what's kept him around longer than the vast majority of players. "I think purpose keeps people going in life. If you have something, if you have a North Star that keeps you going every single day, it's easy to keep you moving in the right direction, which is forward and I think I've done that. Before I knew it, I looked up and I was in Year 10. I feel like I'm in Year 5 really just because of how much I feel like I still have to give to the game and how much joy I get playing this game still."