Running back Ameer Abdullah had offseason shoulder surgery, head coach Jim Caldwell confirmed to reporters in Allen Park Thursday.
Abdullah suffered the injury late last year and had the procedure done shortly after the season concluded.
"He is recovering nicely," Caldwell said after Thursday's open OTA session to the media.
Caldwell did not give a timetable for his return and responded with, "we'll see," when asked if Abdullah would be ready to go by the start of training camp.
Abdullah led the Lions in rushing attempts (143) and rushing yards (597) last season. He was also one of the top kickoff return men in the NFL, leading the league with 1,077 return yards.
He's expected to be a big component of the team's backfield this fall along with Theo Riddick, Stevan Ridley, Zach Zenner and seventh-round draft pick Dwayne Washington.
