Joique

Bell

The move could be a sign the Lions are planning to rest Kevin Smith and his troublesome ankle in Week 17. Bell has spent time with the Saints, Colts and Eagles the past two seasons, but failed to receive a carry in eight games.

The Lions gave Bell a two-year deal, and the signing appears to be more of a long-term investment. The team can use the offseason and training camp to determine if Bell can be a third-string tailback or an asset on special teams.

With Mikel Leshoure suspended for two games, either Bell or Williams will open the season as the Lions’ third-string back. “The more I saw of (Williams), (Bell), those guys have had a really good offseason,” Mayhew said. Undrafted rookie Stephfon Green doesn’t have a realistic chance at a spot on the 53-man roster.

He’ll also fall in line behind Mikel Leshoure after Leshoure’s two-game suspension. Bell is often talked up as a sleeper in fantasy circles that like to stretch, but he barely cracked 4.0 YPC in preseason games and would need at least an injury or two to even come close to the start-able radar. Bell is a deep-league Dynasty stash. He’s not worth a roster spot in re-draft settings.

Three of his touches came with Matthew Stafford still in the game. Williams’ stat-line wasn’t as impressive as Joique Bell’s, who rushed five times for 35 yards while reeling in three catches for 44 yards, but Bell didn’t play a down until third-stringer Kellen Moore entered. Bell also lost a fumble near the goal line at the end of a 20-yard run. Williams, who has 17 preseason totes for 98 yards, is ahead of Bell on the depth chart. Bell has carried 21 times for 124 yards.

Bell rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Lions’ preseason opener, and saw action with the second-team offense. This isn’t the first time he’s performed well in training camp, and it’s doubtful he’ll suddenly find success with the Lions. Bell could still have deep sleeper appeal given the uncertain futures of Jahvid Best (concussion) and Mikel Leshoure (hamstring).

Leshoure is off suspension as of Monday. Meanwhile, the Lions showed a lack of faith in Kevin Smith Sunday night, using replacement-level talent Joique Bell for large chunks in both halves against the Niners. Still, we’re not so sure the Lions will brush Smith to the side so quickly. Leshoure is coming off an Achilles’ tear and Smith is a better fit in the Lions’ pass-first attack. Both backs should be owned while we wait for this committee to shake out.

We didn’t see him on the field at any point. Mikel Leshoure was the clear feature back, and Joique Bell took over in the two-minute drill, taking advantage of a prevent defense for six receptions and 72 yards. Smith has no fantasy value beyond the dime-a-dozen roster stash.

Bell played a lot of third downs for the Lions, but he also ended up losing a crucial fumble at the goal line in the third quarter. Bell tried diving for the end zone far too early and had the ball knocked out before breaking the plane. Detroit didn’t shy away from giving him the ball after the fumble, but he’s only worth a look in deeper PPR formats.

Bell worked the entire fourth quarter after the Lions got up big. He and Kevin Smith shared third-down duties in the first 45 minutes while Mikel Leshoure handled all of the early-down work. Bell continues to impress when given the opportunity to, but he still remains only a PPR flier in the deepest of leagues. Bell will continue to get most of the work when the game is out of hand or if the Lions are in comeback mode.