Author: Paula Pasche

DETROIT >> Second-round pick Teez Tabor is among the inactives for the Lions who face the Arizona Cardinals today in the season opener.

Tabor, a cornerback, has not been on the injury report, it’s a matter of numbers, a coach’s decision.

Meanwhile cornerback Jamal Agnew, a fifth-round pick, will play. One difference is that Agnew is expected to return punts.

Running backs Zach Zenner and Tion Green are inactive too. Leaving Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Dwayne Washington as the three active backs.

Other inactives for Detroit are wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, guard Zac Kerin, tackle Corey Robinson and tackle Storm Norton (who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday when linebacker Nick Bellore was released).

Cardinals inactives: Linebacker Deone Bucannon, DT Robert Nkemdiche, QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Chad Williams, OL Ulrick John, LB Scooby Wright and OL Will Holden.

Finally, the regular NFL season is upon us.

The Detroit Lions are as prepared as they can be. They’ll take on the Arizona Cardinals at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the newly renovated Ford Field.

What will we see on the enlarged video screens?

Tough to tell.

Five things to watch :

1. Ziggy Ansah says he’s healthy and ready to go. Fine. What about the rest of the defensive line? Remember Khyri Thornton and Armonty Bryant are suspended. The tackles, with starters A’Shawn Robinson and Haloti Ngata, should be OK. Defensive end Cornelius Washington is a little tired of hearing about the questions on the ends. They can provide an answer by playing well and getting to Palmer early and often. Look for Anthony Zettel and Jeremiah Valoaga to rotate in at the ends. If the defensive line can persevere, the Lions have a better chance of winning.

2. Rookie middle linebacker Jarrad Davis has a lot on his shoulders. The first-round pick would not be starting unless defensive coordinator Teryl Austin had faith in him. He’s football smart, hard-working and talented, but he is also a rookie. It’s not like he’ll be alone he’ll be supported by Tahir Whitehead in the nickel package and veteran Paul Worrilow in the three linebacker sets.

3. Ameer Abdullah is healthy and so ready to go after missing the last 14 games last season. He and Theo Riddick must get off to a good start. This run game, with both of them healthy, should be similar to what we saw in the opener a year ago when they combined for 228 yards of offense. They’ll likely get some help from Zach Zenner, maybe in goal-line situations.

4. Of course, Matthew Stafford’s play will be the biggest factor this season. Everyone expects the best from him. He doesn’t like to think about the last time the Lions played the Cards when he was benched after throwing three interceptions. He’s a much different quarterback now.

5. Not only do the Cardinals have a stellar passing game led by quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Running back David Johnson can cause plenty of damage running the ball and catching it. He will be a good test for the secondary which is expected to feature the same starters as last year — Darius Slay, Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson and Nevin Lawson.

PREDICTION: Lions 27, Cardinals 24. It’s a tough matchup, but homefield will have an effect in the opener. Everyone is healthy (except for punter Sam Martin) so the Lions must take advantage.

ALLEN PARK >> Despite last season’s inept rushing game, Lions coach Jim Caldwell has remained confident for this season.

The coach has two good reasons for his belief in a revitalization of a run game that was ranked 30th in the league averaging 81.9 yards per game in 2016.

It’s a whole new ball game with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick both healthy.

It all starts with the opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Ford Field. Game time is 1 p.m.

Abdullah missed the final 14 games last season due to foot surgery and Riddick played in just 10 games with a variety of injuries.

“Explosive. Both those backs, he and (Theo) Riddick, they can hit a home run on every play and you got to have them up. Ameer, one missed tackle and he can take it to the house, and same thing with Riddick,’’ Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said in a conference call this week. “In pass coverage, you better know where you’re going.”

No one is more excited to take the field than Abdullah who worked so hard to reach this point.

“It means a lot. I worked really hard. … That’s something I’ve always done. I’m the youngest of nine so I’ve always had to work to be noticed in my family because I have a lot of successful people. That’s something I pride myself on. I want people to know i’ve worked my tail off this offseason to be in the position and I don’t expect anything but good things for myself and this team moving forward,’’ Abdullah said.

He looked strong in OTAs and that carried on through training camp and his limited time in preseason games.

“Ameer creates big plays in the run game at a pretty high clip, and that’s exciting. Also creates big plays in the pass game. He’s an explosive player. Looks good running around out there, looks healthy, and he’s excited to get going this year,’’ Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said on Thursday.

Abdullah looks forward to getting back on the field with Riddick.

In the opener in 2016 — the only game they both played four quarters — they combined for 228 yards of offense. Abdullah ran up 63 rushing yards with 57 receiving yards and a score while  Riddick rushed for 45 yards and had 63 receiving yards with one receiving and one rushing touchdown.

“That’s cool, but that’s in the past really. This is 2017. What we did in 2016 when we were together it was good to watch on film to learn from but we don’t expect to be the same players as we were in 2016 even though it was a positive note we left on,’’ Abdullah said. “We want to be better and I feel like we are better. Just watching Theo I think he’s 10 times better. Anytime he’s out I’m definitely competing with him trying to keep that level of play.’’

The two have grown to be close friends, helping each other on and off the field.

“We always talk about it. It’s good to have a friend much more than just a teammate in Theo. A guy who wants to see you do well,’’ Abdullah said. “… That’s such a dream connection. We understand we’re only as good as when we’re on the field together both healthy.’’