Three Detroit Lions will start the 2016 training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list -- but one omission from the list should be good news for the franchise.
While tight end Brandon Pettigrew, receiver Corey Fuller and offensive tackle Corey Robinson will be on the PUP list, running back Ameer Abdullah was not placed there. This bodes well for the second-year running back’s recovery from shoulder labrum surgery in January.
Abdullah missed all of spring workouts but was expected to be good to go by the start of camp. This is another sign that will be the case. Abdullah is in line to be the team’s starting running back this fall.
Pettigrew, Fuller and Robinson were all also coming off injuries. Pettigrew tore his ACL against St. Louis in December and continues to recover. Fuller broke his foot and had surgery this spring. Robinson’s injury is unknown. None of the three is a lock to be on the roster this fall.
Pettigrew has the best chance to make the team as long as he is healthy. With him out, undrafted free agent Cole Wick and veteran Matthew Mulligan will see more reps as they battle for potentially one roster spot.
Fuller’s injury might place him further down a crowded depth chart behind Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. TJ Jones, Andre Caldwell, Andre Roberts, Jay Lee and Quinshad Davis are among the receivers competing for roles on the outside, where Fuller primarily has played as a backup.
Robinson is pretty far down the depth chart as it is. Last year’s seventh-round pick is behind starters Taylor Decker and Riley Reiff as well as Michael Ola and Cornelius Lucas on the depth chart.