Mikel Leshoure focused on getting healthy

Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure hasn't had much luck with injuries so far in his young NFL career. In his first year in the league, he tore his Achilles in training camp, forcing him to miss the entire 2011 season. Last year, he returned from that injury, but a hamstring issue forced him to miss the first part of the Lions' 2012 training camp. While he did eventually make his debut in Week 3 of the season (after serving a two-game suspension), Leshoure was banged up throughout 2012.

A hamstring problem forced Leshoure to miss time again this offseason, as he was held out of at least one OTA back in May. The good news is that he was seemingly practicing without any limitations during the Lions' minicamp this month, indicating that his injury is improving. In order to make sure it doesn't become an issue again when training camp starts, Leshoure is putting his focus on getting healthy. From the Free Press:

"I’ve just got to get healthy," he said. "Last year I was just dealing with a lot of things, nagging injuries weren’t where they needed to be coming off the first year of my injuries. I’ve just got to get healthy and consistency will come when you’re healthy."

Considering Leshoure was apparently the third running back in the Lions' rotation during their minicamp, his health this year will really be important for his future. If he wants to stay on the field and in the rotation at running back, the Lions need to be able to count on him to be healthy.