The Detroit Lions are coming into the season with Joique Bell the starter, but with the running back out in training camp, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and George Winn will get the chance to step up and they could be solid fantasy football handcuff players this year, as head coach Jim Caldwell said he is not sure when Bell will return to practice.
The Lions are coming into the season after letting Reggie Bush go in free agency and the team is comfortable with Bell as the lead back. The offense got strong play from Bell last season and Riddick also stepped up while Bush was dealing with injuries. The Lions added Ameer Abdullah in the draft and the running back has received strong reviews coming out of offseason workouts. Caldwell said to the Detroit Free Press that Bell is "coming along quickly" and that he can' put "an exact timetable" on when he will be back.
Bell dealt with surgeries in the offseason on his knee and he also had an Achilles procedure and that could keep him out for most of if not all of camp. Caldwell did not sound worried and he likely feels fine with Bell coming in and being the number one even if he misses some of camp. The absence of Bell actually could be a positive for everyone, as Abdullah and Riddick can get more work in camp and that gives them more experience when Bell returns.
Earlier in the offseason just before camp, the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett wrote that Bell is expected to be the "primary running back" this season. Bell comes in after having a career year, rushing for the most yards in his four seasons in the NFL in 2014, putting up 860 yards on 223 carries. Bell also added 34 catches for 322 yards and he had seven rushing touchdowns this season after scoring eight the previous year. Bell has always been consistent as a receiver out of the backfield and now he will try and do that as the main running back after averaging a hair below 4.0 yards per carry last season.
Bell has missed offseason workouts and the start of camp, but he is still expected to be the starter. Abdullah and Riddick are strong fantasy handcuff options for Bell, as Riddick comes in after making 34 catches for 316 yards last season and he could see more work this year. The Lions want Riddick to step up and the team also has confidence in Abdullah, who had a productive career in college.
Check here for more on the Detroit Lions RBs and Bell's status.