Detroit Lions stock watch: Ebron, Tabor emerging while Ameer sits

The Detroit Lions are getting contributions from some unlikely candidates of late, and it could help them as they make a desperate push for a playoff berth.

In another less-than-convincing victory this past Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions kept their microscopic playoff hopes alive.

Let’s break down who stood out, and whose star is beginning to fade in this week’s Stock Report.

STOCK UP

TE Eric Ebron

The much-maligned tight end has picked up his game in the last few weeks. Once the target of boos from his home crowd, Ebron has become a reliable target for Matthew Stafford.

On Sunday, Ebron hauled in 10 passes for 94 yards. Though he did lose a fumble, the performance was notable for the fourth-year player.

In the last three weeks, Ebron has been on a personal tear of sorts:

If you’re a Lions fan, you will certainly take that.

CB Teez Tabor

When the Lions drafted Tabor in the second round this past year, many people were skeptical.

For one of the NFL’s youngest players learning to play the game’s toughest position, it was going to be a growth process from the beginning. It appears that Tabor has made significant progress from where he started.

The second-round rookie went from being inactive for the first several weeks of the season to playing 39 snaps this past Sunday. The coaching staff has confidence in Tabor to put him out there for meaningful snaps, and it has allowed for some flexibility in the rest of the defensive backfield.

CB/S Quandre Diggs

Make no mistake, Diggs’ performance this season has been exceptional. One of the top ranked slot corners in the NFL, Diggs has also improved the Lions’ defense with his ability to play strong safety alongside Glover Quin.

Diggs made his presence felt against the Buccaneers, both literally and figuratively.

He snagged his first career interception, forced a fumble with a textbook earth-shattering hit on O.J. Howard, and tallied seven total tackles.

With Tavon Wilson out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, the Lions had a void at the safety position. Although Diggs’ performance does not bode well for Miles Killebrew, who only played three defensive snaps on Sunday, the Lions have an impact player with versatility at the back end of their defense.

STOCK DOWN

RB Ameer Abdullah

Perhaps the writing is on the wall for the Lions’ lead running back.

Or perhaps this week was a total roster fluke.

Whatever the case, there is something fishy here.

When questioned on Monday, head coach Jim Caldwell said that health was not just a factor, but the only factor in keeping Abdullah inactive. The Lions listed Abdullah questionable with a neck injury that has lingered over the past two weeks, but the running back was reportedly a healthy scratch against the Bucs.

We know that Caldwell is typically mum about the status of injuries, but these conflicting reports are interesting.

When the news first broke Sunday morning, I imagined we would see a heavy dose of Tion Green. Or Theo Riddick. Or someone else.

The truth of the matter is the Lions did not feature anyone in the run game on Sunday. They attempted to run the ball just 18 times out of 68 offensive plays.

Riddick dominated snaps at the position with 48, but received only ten carries. Green followed with five.

Were the Lions playing it safe by giving Abdullah another week to heal, knowing that their game plan included limited carries? Or could it be that they have seen enough, and are willing to move forward with Riddick and Green? Next week will provide more insight into Caldwell’s motive. Stay tuned on this one.