Detroit Lions RB Theo Riddick misses 2nd straight practice

While the Detroit Lions are coming out of the bye week relatively healthy, one player appears to be coming out in worse condition.

Running back Theo Riddick has now missed the first two practices of the week with a knee injury. Riddick did not appear to suffer an injury during the Packers game in Week 5 and played in 19 snaps that Sunday.

However, Riddick was visibly limping as he walked off the practice field Thursday after watching the team go through warmups.

Although the Lions’ carries have been dominated by Kerryon Johnson and LeGarrette Blount this season, Riddick, too, has been a key part to the offense. In fact, Riddick leads all Lions running backs in offensive snaps thanks to his value on third down both as a receiver (five catches) and pass blocker.

If Riddick can’t go on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, it will leave the Lions in a bit of conundrum on third down. Johnson can pick up the slack as a pass catcher, but he’s been abysmal as a pass protector thus far. Blount is better at pass protection, but doesn’t offer much as a receiver.

Or is this the week that Ameer Abdullah returns to the offensive gameplan? Abdullah has been inactive for the first four games of the season. Against the Packers, he was active for the first time, but he did not play an offensive snap all game. Abdullah also struggles as a pass protector, but he has more experience doing it than Johnson and offers similar value in the receiving game.

We still don’t know if Riddick will be out this week, but we’ll know more on Friday when the team releases official gameday designations.