The Jacksonville Jaguars officially announced a set of roster moves on Monday, May 11, headlined by the signing of veteran running back Ameer Abdullah. Alongside that move, the team re-signed offensive lineman Sal Wormley, placed offensive lineman Jordan White on the reserve/retired list, and waived running back Ja’Quinden Jackson.
Abdullah, an 11-year veteran, was drafted in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Over the course of his career, he has appeared in 154 games with 26 starts across six organizations: Detroit, Minnesota, Carolina, Las Vegas, and Indianapolis, and now Jacksonville.
Oct 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) following the game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (8) and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) following the game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
He has accumulated 2,054 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 508 carries, pairing that with 219 receptions for 1,567 yards and 11 scores through the air. His special teams value is also notable, with 170 kick returns for 4,346 yards across his career.
What Abdullah adds as Jacksonville rebuilds its backfield
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Nov 25, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes running back Ja’Quinden Jackson (3) gets tackled by Colorado Buffaloes safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (7) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
Abdullah will turn 33 in June. He spent last season with the Indianapolis Colts, playing primarily on special teams. He did manage 60 rushing yards and a touchdown along with 16 catches for 99 yards. The production was limited, but his value in Jacksonville likely goes beyond his offensive numbers.
Jaguars signed veteran RB Ameer Abdullah.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 11, 2026
The Jaguars did not make a flashy free agent signing at running back or use a high draft pick on the position. It will likely be an open competition for running back snaps this season. Abdullah will be turning 33 before the season, so the upside is limited, but he can still make plays in the passing game.
Las Vegas Raiders
Nov 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) celebrates a touchdown in the third quarter with teammates running back Ameer Abdullah (8) and wide receiver Tre Tucker (11) at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Jacksonville has seen notable departures from its backfield this offseason, with Travis Etienne signing elsewhere. Abdullah won’t be a starter for the Jaguars, assuming he sticks on the roster, but he could get more reps than he saw with the Colts, where Jonathan Taylor took the bulk of the workload.
For a team that went through significant turnover this offseason and still appears to be finding its identity under a new coaching structure, Abdullah represents a low-risk addition with genuine experience. Whether the Jaguars have a clearer vision for their backfield by the time training camp opens is the bigger question. This signing does not answer it, but it fills a gap while that answer takes shape.