Joique Bell expects to be ready for training camp

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell had an outstanding 2013 season. He rushed for 650 yards, gained another 547 yards through the air and found the end zone 8 times. He emerged as much more than a complement to Reggie Bush, and the Lions rewarded him with a three-year deal worth $9.3 million this offseason.

Heading into the 2014 season, Bell could be poised for an even bigger role under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. First things first, though, Bell needs to get healthy. He's been dealing with a nagging knee injury that's kept him out of OTAs, and he admitted that his status for next month's mandatory minicamp is up in the air right now. Luckily, Bell does expect to be good to go by the time training camp begins in July. From MLive:

"Yeah, I do," Bell said confidently when asked if he'd be ready for camp. [...]

"My timetable is this, man: I'm working as hard as I can to get back as soon as I can," he said. "As soon as I feel I'm at a position where I can go out there and not hurt myself, that's when I'll be back out there."

Bell's injury is apparently related to the tendinitis he dealt with last season. It's unclear just how severe his current injury is, but it's important to keep in mind that even minor injuries will keep players sidelined during OTAs. There's no sense in doing further damage just so a guy can practice in May, and that's why the Lions have kept him out. While it'd certainly be nice for Bell to return in June, the main thing is to get him 100 percent healthy in time for training camp in July.