Just when it seems like former Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah’s career is over, he shows that he’s still got something left in the tank. His latest display could even mean that he’ll have a bigger role with the Jacksonville Jaguars than anyone expected.
The Jags played their second preseason game of the year on Friday night, and while the team didn’t play all that well, losing to the Carolina Panthers 34-17, their struggles didn’t extend to Abdullah. The running back and return specialist showed that he’s still as elusive as ever. Interestingly enough, he only carried the ball as a rusher and didn’t get any touches as a returner with Jacksonville.
ANKLES
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 22, 2026
Ameer Abdullah goes for 23!#CARvsJAX on CBS47 pic.twitter.com/aJsTiDA5Bx
Ameer Abdullah’s 23-yard run evokes his Nebraska football glory days
Abdullah carried the ball 6 times for 45 yards, leading all rushers in the game. He also caught 3 passes for 37 yards, but one run in particular reminded onlookers of Abdullah’s Nebraska glory days.
Early in the second quarter, the Jaguars trailed 7-3 and were pinned on their own two-yard line. On a first-and-18 play, the Jags ran a draw to Abdullah that first looked like it might be stopped at or near the line of scrimmage.
However, Abdullah managed to plant his foot and abruptly shift direction, leaving the defender who appeared to have a bead on him in the dust as he found another gear. He then exploded past the line of scrimmage and 23 yards upfield.
Abdullah’s run was the kind that no one expects from a 33-year-old running back entering his 12th year in the NFL. It’s more than just busting out a long run against defenders who may or may not be on rosters when the 2026 season starts. He showed moves that players far younger and supposedly fresher than he is would be jealous of.
His performance should make Jags fans wonder if he might have a bigger role this year than anyone first thought. Even if he simply does what he’s done in the past, and is a sometimes ball carrier and returner, that he’s still able to do it this far into a career that’s seen him suffer plenty of injuries would be impressive. But that run showed a spark that could be quite useful to a team trying to get back to the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Abdullah also has the veteran viewpoint that could be huge for a team whose stars are still mostly quite young.
From 2015 to 2025, Abdullah played in 154 games and tallied 508 carries for 2,054 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also hauled down 219 receptions for 1,567 yards and 11 TDs while returning 10 punts for 91 yards and 170 kicks for 4,346 yards.
In 2026, the Jacksonville Jaguars would be wise to lean on the former Nebraska star because of his talent and his experience. Ameer Abdullah demonstrated that again on Friday, even if it was just a small sample of what could be.
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