Week 11 Outlook
Availability
The Indianapolis Colts bolstered their injury-ravaged backfield by signing former Detroit Lions tailback Tion Green to a one-year deal. Green gained 165 yards on 42 totes for the Lions last season and scored two touchdowns.
Fantasy Impact
Green is much-needed depth at the moment as Marlon Mack is battling a hamstring injury, Robert Turbin will begin the year suspended, and Nyheim Hines has had fumbling problems. Green hadn't drawn a lot of interest since being waived by the Lions, so he'll have a hard time making Indy's roster once the club's other runners are healthy.
Less than a month after using the 43rd pick on running back Kerryon Johnson, the Detroit Lions have parted ways with former undrafted free agent Tion Green.
Fantasy Impact
Johnson is expected to lead a Detroit backfield that now includes LeGarrette Blount, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner. Green saw action in five games for Detroit as a rookie, rushing for 3.9 yards-per-carry on 42 totes and scoring a pair of touchdowns. Only 24-years-old, Green will likely get a camp invite this summer but is currently off the dynasty radar.
Tion Green rushed nine times for 21 yards in the Lions' Week 17 win over the Packers. He also caught two passes for 14 yards.
Fantasy Impact
Detroit wasn't quite as experimental with this game as they could've been, so the running game was barely utilized as the team opted to stick with their strengths. Green remains a name to keep an eye on this offseason if Ameer Abdullah ends up leaving the Lions for any reason. He'll still be limited as a two-down back even with Abdullah out of the picture, seeing as this last game was the only one of the season in which he had a reception. His sleeper potential remains high: stay vigilant.
Tion Green only carried the ball seven times, but he turned it into 43 yards and a touchdown. His score was a goal-line carry.
Fantasy Impact
Green is a fascinating prospect going forward, for both next week and next year. With nothing to play for in Week 17, the Lions will likely feature Green more heavily, and if they do he's more than start-worthy. Next year the Lions can part ways with Ameer Abdullah, who will be in the final year of his contract, as well as Zach Zenner, who will be a free agent. They might hold on to Dwayne Washington for his special teams contributions, be he's as easy cut money-wise too. Green hasn't caught a pass all year, which makes him a good partner for Theo Riddick, who is just as one-dimensional in the opposite sense. Keep an eye on this kid going forward.
Green was only called upon 10 times, but he averaged a serviceable 3.5 YPC against a stingy Bears defense.
Fantasy Impact
Tion Green's chances to showcase his skills are going to dwindle these next few weeks as Ameer Abdullah is slowly re-acclimated into the rotation. Even if Abdullah suffers any sort of setback, Theo Riddick remains too involved for Green to be anything more than a name to keep an eye on in future seasons.
