Ameer

Abdullah

Abdullah has spent the last two seasons with the Raiders and served primarily as their kick returner. A nine-year vet of the league, Abdullah hasn’t offered much utility as a runner in recent years, but with Josh Jacobs appearing unlikely to return next season, he at least serves as a familiar backup while the Raiders look to construct their roster.

Abdullah only earned 15 carries for 85 yards in 2023 but did add 19 receptions for 131 yards to his stat sheet. He also played plenty on special teams including his role as the team’s top kick returner. Abdullah’s days as a fantasy-relevant running back are behind him, but the veteran has carved out a solid role as a pass-catcher on offense and a key contributor on special teams. A free agent in the spring, Abdullah should have no problem finding a home for 2024.

Spelling Zamir White on most third downs in Josh Jacobs’ absence, Abdullah was one of the only Raiders you could maybe argue had a disappointing night in a 63-21 victory. Both White and No. 3 back Brandon Bolden found the end zone in the historic victory. A pure role player who would need everything to go right to provide PPR FLEX returns, Abdullah will remain outside the top 50 for Week 16 even if Jacobs fails to return against the Chiefs.

According to Rapoport, the Raiders will likely sit Jacobs on Thursday night if the team thinks he’s at risk of sustaining further injury. His absence would open the door for Zamir White to handle some early-down work in the running game, while Ameer Abdullah would likely factor in on passing downs. Abdullah has caught 14-of-19 targets for 92 yards this season and could have some PPR upside if Jacobs, who has been targeted 54 times this season, is held out.

Jacobs was listed as DNP for a second straight day as he nurses a quad injury that he suffered in Week 14 against the Vikings. The Raiders play a Thursday game against the Chargers in Week 15, making it difficult for Jacobs to return in time to play. His Wednesday practice status will clarify his health, but Zamir White will take on an expanded role while Ameer Abdullah will be the pass-catching back if Jacobs cannot go.

White only played five snaps against Minnesota but could take on an expanded role in Week 15 if Josh Jacobs’ knee injury proves to be serious. White should be rostered in most 12-team leagues headed into Week 15. Ameer Abdullah, who ran more routes than White in Week 14, should function as Vegas’ primary pass-catching back if Jacobs is sidelined.

White was listed as the No. 1 back on the Raiders’ first unofficial depth chart for last week’s preseason game against the 49ers. White rushed 13 times for 43 yards and one touchdown in the Raiders’ preseason win while playing with the backups. The former Georgia Bulldog has good size (6'0/215) and speed (4.40 40-yard dash) but never saw a true bell cow role in college. In 37 career games, White handled 15 or more rush attempts on just six occasions — a number that could increase drastically as the Raiders’ RB1. The possibility of Jacobs returning still looms, but White is an interesting late-round value as the season draws closer.

Williams beat out ex-Texans RB Rex Burkhead after both backs visited the team last week. The Raiders adding Williams suggests they don’t expect unsigned franchise RB Josh Jacobs to report anytime soon. Williams was limited to one game before getting released from Atlanta last year and is a longshot for the Week 1 roster.

Again, this is an unofficial depth chart. We shouldn’t read too much into it, but we also shouldn’t be surprised to see White listed as the RB1 with Josh Jacobs still holding out and the veteran combo of Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden serving as his only threats for touches. White was a fourth-round pick out of Georgia last year and spent the majority of his rookie campaign riding the pine. He totaled just 17 carries for 70 scoreless yards last season but should see significantly more work this season, with or without Jacobs in the lineup. White is a worthy late-round flier who could turn into a fantasy value if Jacobs misses time. Should Jacobs return, he still has contingent value as an end-of-the-bench stash.

Jacobs has yet to sign his franchise tag and appears unwilling to play on it at this time. The 25-year-old back is in search of a long-term deal after leading the league with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022. Given the current state of the running back market, it seems unlikely the Raiders will be coming to Jacobs with a long-term extension anytime soon. Ameer Abdullah is listed as the backup to Jacobs on the depth chart, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see second-year back Zamir White handle a bigger role if Jacobs were to miss actual game time.