The Vikings claimed former Lions running back Ameer Abdullah off waivers, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move gives the former second-round pick a shot at a fresh start and even an opportunity for revenge when the Vikings face the Lions in Week 16. 
Abdullah entered the league with tons of hype in 2015, but injuries prevented him from doing much of anything after his rookie season. With the Lions this year, Abdullah was mostly inactive behind rookie star Kerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick.
Technically speaking, Abdullah ranks no higher than third on the Vikings’ depth chart behind Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray, but Cook’s hamstring issues could reappear at any time. Cook looked strong in Week 9 as he rattled off a 70-yard run, but one wrong step could jeopardize his season. The Vikings also have UDFAs Michael Boone and Roc Thomas on the 53-man roster, but one of those players will probably be forced out to make room for the Nebraska product.
The Vikings own the 12th best record in the NFL, meaning more than half of the league passed on the opportunity to add Abdullah. Still, it’s a low-risk move for Minnesota since Abdullah’s contract will expire at the end of the season.
The irony of your headline calling him a former running back has made me chuckle.
Cardinals were all in on Abdullah until the lions took him just before them. They settled with David Johnson a round or two later.
A new born baby would have better ball security then Abdullah. All the guy does is fumble
Vikes claim him from Lions.
December 23rd Vikes play the Lions.
Plenty of time to “mine” Abdullah for info to give the Vikes an additional EDGE over the Lions.
And so this “GAME” of player movement involving rosters, Practice Squads and workouts proceeds with the underlying theme being getting information to give your team an edge over a future opponent from that team’s former players.
Because MIN is scared of the team they just beat.. who is also in the basement of their division.
The Bears have two games with Detroit so why didn’t they sign him before the Vikings? I hardly think the Vikings are going to subject Abdullah to a rubber hose interrogation to uncover how the Lions managed to kick 3 FGs.
Lol. Get ‘em.
I like him as a 3rd RB especially since it means means no more, or less, handoffs to Roc and Boone who plod straight ahead and get tackled immediately 99% of the time. Abdullah can at least be deployed more creatively.
This pickup is pretty plain and simple. They needed someone to do kick returns as they have been playing with fire running Hughes and then Holton Hill out there. Abdullah will simply be a KO specialist with the VIkings, and could blossom there if he learns and accepts that that will be his role going forward in the NFL.