Lions running back Ameer Abdullah met with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson this week and he received some good news. Anderson found the foot structurally sound with no reason to believe aggravation of the injury might occur, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). Abdullah’s foot has come along better than expected and that could allow him to take the field again this season. There is a realistic chance that he could be activated in three weeks. 
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At this stage, the only concern from doctors is that Abdullah could injure another body part while trying to protect his foot. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Abdullah’s status could be largely up to the player. If he is mostly pain-free and confident in his condition, he could be playing again before long. In the meantime, Abdullah will ramp up his rehab to test the injury.
Late last week, it was reported that the Lions are still wrestling between Abdullah and linebacker Jon Bostic as the one player to designate for return. Bostic, who underwent foot surgery earlier this season, has been eligible to come off IR as soon as Week 8. He’s been running on the practice field lately, but the team has likely been stalling to leave open the possibility of an Abdullah comeback. Detroit could use the help at linebacker, but running back is arguably a greater need and Abdullah has the potential to make a larger impact. The team has turned to Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington, Zach Zenner, and Justin Forsett at different points this season but they have been unable to find consistent results from any of them.
The Lions could use a back like Abdulllah with better vision. There were times on Thanksgiving where there were huge cutback lanes missed by the current RB’s. There are big runs out there to be had!