Detroit Lions: Analyzing the Injuries
Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back, Joique Bell
Injury: Knee/Achilles
Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell has missed all of the teams offseason workouts and practices as well as preseason action while recovering from knee and Achilles surgery that he had during the offseason. The good news is that he seems to be on track for a return at the start of the regular season.
RB @JoiqueBell talks about how close he is to returning to the field: http://t.co/kmwCoHExOf. pic.twitter.com/DB5wlv4Nxh
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 25, 2015
#Lions Joique Bell said he's working hard to get back. Must be close - he looked pretty mobile playing Ping Pong in locker room today.
— Paula Pasche (@paulapasche) August 24, 2015
The return of Bell, like most other injured members of the Lions roster, is one that will be essential to success in 2015. While there has been speculation that Detroit may be better off using the often hyped Ameer Abdullah or even undrafted rookie and preseason stud, Zach Zenner as their featured back — I can assure you that is not the case.
Have we discussed the possibility that right now Zach Zenner is better inside runner than Joique Bell? Would it occur to the #Lions?
— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) August 25, 2015
While Zenner has shown promise he is not yet on the same level as Bell, particularly in pass protection. Likewise goes for Abdullah. What would be most effective is for a healthy Bell to be on the field with the compliment of Abdullah — which is likely what has been the plan all along. In the end, Bell needs the Lions and the Lions need Bell.
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