OC Scott Linehan said Joique Bell is earning more touches weekly.

Bell is averaging a gaudy 5.70 YPC on the season and has totaled 12 rushes for 128 yards with a touchdown over the last two weeks. "The way he ran the ball and has been playing certainly gives him an opportunity now, I think for more opportunities," Linehan said. Bell will be the change-of-pace option behind Mikel Leshoure once again in Week 14.

Joique Bell rushed seven times for 81 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards in the Lions' Week 13 loss to the Colts.

Bell played well ahead of Kevin Smith, spelling Mikel Leshoure on running plays. Smith was used as a pass protector on third down, ending up with no touches. Bell remains a handcuff for Leshoure owners and nothing more despite today's fluky 67-yard rumble up the gut.

Kevin Smith played more snaps than Joique Bell for the second consecutive game in Week 12.

After 10 weeks, the Lions have decided that Smith is a better pass protector than Bell on third downs. Bell did have Detroit's first two carries of 20+ yards on the season, but he can't be trusted as a flex option with Smith handling third-down duties.

Joique Bell rushed five times for 47 yards with a touchdown in the Lions' Week 12 overtime loss to the Texans.

Bell opened up the game behind Kevin Smith for the second straight week. But in the second half, he finally got a chance and dragged multiple Texans defenders at least 15 yards down the field. From there, he played ahead of Smith and proceeded to break off an easy 23-yard touchdown run right up the gut in the fourth quarter. We suspect Bell will be the No. 2 back against the Colts next week.

Coach Jim Schwartz continues to rave about the play of Joique Bell.

Joique Bell rushed 13 times for 73 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 36 yards in Sunday's Week 9 win over the Jaguars.

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.

Lions OC Scott Linehan confirmed that Mikel Leshoure on the bench in the fourth quarter last week because Joique Bell is the preferred back in "obvious passing situations."

Our suspicions on Leshoure's absence were correct after all. "Joique's proven to be a real effective receiver out of the backfield since we haven't had Jahvid," explained Linehan. "Joique's been doing a really nice job for us and his role's increased because of it." Bell will continue to get the call in no-huddle comeback mode, but Leshoure remains locked into the lead back role. Rotoworld ranks Leshoure 17th and Bell 32nd among fantasy backs for Week 9.

Coach Jim Schwartz had praise for Joique Bell following Sunday's win over the Seahawks.

Bell was the primary back after Mikel Leshoure limped off late. "He's strong," Schwartz said. "One thing about Joique, very rarely does the first guy get him down." Over the last six games, Bell is averaging 4.8 carries and 3.3 catches per day. If Leshoure's injury lingers, there will be some flex appeal here for owners in deeper PPR formats.

Joique Bell rushed for 13 yards on three carries and caught three passes for 16 yards in Week 7 versus the Bears.

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.

Joique Bell is fourth among NFL running backs with 178 receiving yards this season.

Bell's stats have been padded against prevent defenses in garbage time, but there's no question that his emergence has been the primary reason for Kevin Smith's depth chart plummet. Lions coaches appreciate Bell's ability to get yards after first contact by refusing to go down on the first hit. He's worthy of a roster spot in deeper PPR formats.

Lions OC Scott Linehan suggested RB Joique Bell could remain in the "game closer" role going forward.

It's a bit ironic in that new starter Mikel Leshoure was drafted to be the "four minute" back, closing out leads. "(Bell) has made guys miss, he's gotten tough yards, he's ball secure, he's been assignment-sound," added coach Jim Schwartz. "He's done a nice job." If Kevin Smith is going to have a weekly role, it will likely be as a change-of-pace option during the first three quarters.

Joique Bell rushed six times for 14 yards in Detroit's Week 2 loss to the 49ers, adding two catches for 59 yards.

Bell's biggest play of the night came in garbage time, where he rumbled 50 yards on a Matthew Stafford dumpoff. With Kevin Smith going nowhere against the Niners' suffocating run defense in the first quarter, Bell operated as Detroit's primary back for three drives, but ended up taking the ball only 10 yards on four carries. With Mikel Leshoure (suspension) due back in Week 3, Bell is out of sight, out of mind in fantasy leagues.

Joique Bell is behind Kevin Smith, Keiland Williams, and Stefan Logan in the Lions' running back pecking order.

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.

Lions RB Joique Bell is competing with Keiland Williams and Stefan Logan for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Lions GM Martin Mayhew says he didn't pursue a veteran running back because he's comfortable with Joique Bell and Keiland Williams.

With Mikel Leshoure suspended for the first 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.

Coach Jim Schwartz said after Wednesday's practice that it was "too early to tell" if newly signed RB Joique Bell could play Sunday at Green Bay.

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.

Lions signed RB Joique Bell, formerly of the Saints.

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.

Saints waived RB Joique Bell.

Bell goes to make room for DE Will Smith, who is coming off suspension. With Chris Ivory appearing healthy and set to come off the PUP list in Week 7, Bell is likely done in New Orleans.

Joique Bell led the Saints with 50 yards and a touchdown on six carries and 92 yards on two receptions against the Raiders in the third preseason game.

Bell isn't a special talent, but this was a statement game in his battle with special teamer Patrick Cobbs for the No. 4 RB job. Just two weeks removed from a knee sprain, Bell hurdled, stiff-armed, and trucked defenders in a warrior-like performance. The film and effort both argue heavily in favor of Bell earning a roster spot.

Joique Bell (knee) returned to Saints practice Monday.

The sprain Bell picked up in the preseason opener wasn't severe. He remains squarely on the roster bubble.