Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White is entering his second season with the team after being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
White did not see the field often in his rookie season, totaling just 17 carries for 70 yards, as he sat behind Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing. With Jacobs currently not in the picture, White is in line for an increased workload.
For a second-year running back, this expected rise in opportunity can be overwhelming. There is a lot to take in and learn, especially having limited experience the previous year.
This is where having a veteran in the running back room like Ameer Abdullah can be helpful. Abdullah is entering his ninth season in the NFL, posting over 1,500 rushing yards in his career.
Abdullah addressed the media at training camp and spoke about how White is picking up on his leadership.
“Yeah, I mean I think for one, as players we can always learn from one another, I learn from the young guys every single day,” he said. “And the good thing about Zamir [White] is he’s so willing to listen. He’s a sponge, he’s a guy who understands that he has a good opportunity right now. For him to listen to guys like me and Brandon [Bolden] who have done it for a number of teams for a number of years, it’s always a good feeling because we grow better that way.”
Abdullah mentioned that learning goes both ways, and he was asked what he has learned from a young player like White.
“Finish,” he said. “That guy finishes, man. He finishes all the way down the field almost every single time. He’s a guy who’s going to do the little things. He takes the coaching really well. I think he comes from a very humble upbringing, so I think that that’s what’s really molded him to be the adaptable player that he is. So just learning from that and always humbling yourself is what I’ve learned from Zamir.”
With White expected to take on a bigger role in the Raiders’ offense this season, he has a veteran back like Abdullah in his corner to help him learn the ropes.
The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.
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