The San Francisco 49ers have made a savvy move, signing former Nebraska Cornhusker running back Ameer Abdullah to bolster their backfield, as reported by multiple sources on Thursday. The 5-foot-9, 203-pound veteran, who has carved out an impressive 10-year NFL career, joins his fifth team in the league after a three-year stint with the Las Vegas Raiders. Abdullah’s durability and versatility make him a hidden gem for the 49ers, with a career spanning 141 games and a track record of consistent production.
Abdullah’s journey to San Francisco began when he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round (54th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. Over the past decade, he has suited up for the Lions (2015-18), Minnesota Vikings (2018-21), Carolina Panthers (2021), and Raiders (2022-24). In his 141 career games, including 26 starts, Abdullah has amassed 494 carries for 1,994 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. His prowess as a receiving back adds another dimension, with 203 receptions for 1,468 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. His most recent season with the Raiders in 2024 saw him contribute 311 rushing yards, 261 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns across 16 games.
A native of Alabama, Abdullah burst onto the scene at Nebraska, where he played from 2011 to 2014. Over four seasons, he racked up 4,588 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns, 690 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns. His all-purpose brilliance shone through with over 7,000 yards and 48 total touchdowns, including contributions on kick and punt returns. Averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per reception, Abdullah was a dynamic force, stepping into a lead role in 2012 after replacing the injured Rex Burkhead. He posted 1,137 rushing yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore, then elevated his game with back-to-back 1,600-yard rushing seasons in 2013 and 2014, scoring 28 touchdowns over those two years while making a strong case for the Heisman Trophy.
Abdullah’s college production earned him a four-year, $4.15 million contract with the Lions, and he has outlasted nearly all of his 2015 draft class peers. Selected as the fourth running back in that draft—behind Todd Gurley (10th overall), Melvin Gordon (15th overall), and T.J. Yeldon (36th overall)—Abdullah has defied the odds, playing more games than all but one running back from his draft class, as noted by Arbitrary Analytics on X. His 141 games trail only his new 49ers teammate, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, among running backs since 2015.
Now, Abdullah joins a talented 49ers backfield that includes Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, and rookie fifth-round pick Jordan James. His experience, durability, and dual-threat ability as a runner and receiver make him a valuable addition to a team with Super Bowl aspirations. As Abdullah embarks on his 11th NFL season, his signing could prove to be a quiet but impactful move for San Francisco.