Bell (knee/Achilles) was activated from the PUP list Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After head coach Jim Caldwell relayed Sunday that the Lions would play Bell's activation from the PUP list "by ear," the 29-year-old running back was removed from the list just one day later. Bell's activity level will likely be capped off the bat, clouding his availability for Thursday's exhibition finale against the Bills. However, he can now embark upon regaining his standing as the Lions' No. 1 back, which has been held down by rookie Ameer Abdullah throughout the preseason.

Coach Jim Caldwell noted Saturday that Bell -- who had offseason procedures to address knee and Achilles' issues -- is "moving along really well" in his recovery, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

That said, Bell and the Lions are "still playing it by ear" as far as when he'll be activated from the team's PUP list. When that time arrives, however, the team expects Bell to be able to handle a follow workload sooner rather than later. Once he's up to speed, Bell is in line re-enter the Lions' backfield mix at the head of a running back committee arrangement that will also feature promising rookie Ameer Abdullah, pass-catching threat Theo Riddick and possibly UDFA Zach Zenner.

Bell (knee/Achilles) expects to be carrying the load for the Lions' running game, David Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bell said that one "can kind of consider me a rookie" as he feels as though this will be the first year he'll be a true lead back, despite collecting 147 more carries than any Lion last season. Bell's comments run counter to earlier reports that the Lions will deploy a running back by committee this season. In the end, expect a combination of the two, with Bell starting but giving way to Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick for stretches.

Bell (knee/Achilles) remained out of practice and on the Lions' PUP list as of Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

With that in mind, it seems pretty safe to assume that Bell won't suit up Friday against the Jaguars, but the continued feeling is that, upon his return, Bell remains on track to re-enter the Lions' backfield mix at the head of a running back committee arrangement that will also feature promising rookie Ameer Abdullah and pass-catching threat Theo Riddick.

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell was able to work out with a trainer on the sidelines Monday as he recovers from knee and Achilles tendon injuries, according to MLive.com. Bell underwent minor surgeries to correct both issues in January and is expected to be healthy enough to see action during the team's exhibition schedule.

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell is currently without a timetable for his return as he continues to recover from injuries to his knee and Achilles, according to the Detroit Free Press. Bell is said to be slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery, but the team will make sure he is fully healthy before removing him from the Physically Unable to Perform list. "I'm not sure how long it's going to take," head coach Jim Caldwell said. "I do know one thing -- that he's coming along quickly and we'll see what the doctor says. The doctors take a look at them, they make a determination of when they can go and we go from there. From a schematic standpoint, he understands and knows how to run the ball. He knows the system, and we're just majorly concerned right now with obviously getting him healthy. And he's well on his way to that." The 28-year-old compiled 912 total yards with eight touchdowns last season and is expected to lead the team's backfield in 2015.

Bell, who has spent the offseason resting his knee and Achilles, is expected to return to the field in time for the start of training camp, mlive.com reports. Moreover, Bell doesn't seem concerned about the ailments that he is recovering from, setting some fantasy-friendly goals in the process. "I'm going to rush for over 1,200 yards," Bell noted. "That's the minimum. If I do less than that, I'll be surprised. I'll be disappointed." While we'll take his self-projections with a bit of a grain of salt for now, it is encouraging that Bell is on track to be ready for training camp, at which time he'll resume work atop a Detroit backfield that now also includes second-rounder Ameer Abdullah, a speedy back who should work in a complementary role, at a minimum, as well as returnee Theo Riddick, who is in line to contribute as a pass-catching back.

Bell (knee/Achilles) still isn't participating in OTAs, the Lions' official website reports. Bell had minor surgeries on his knee and Achilles in January, but there hasn't been any indication that he's in danger of missing training camp. If he's still unavailable for mandatory minicamp (June 16-18), it might be time to start taking his absence more seriously. For now, Bell is still on track to lead the Detroit backfield, with Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah expected to mostly contribute in the passing game.

Bell (knee/Achilles) didn't participate in Wednesday's OTAs, Tim Twentyman of Detroitlions.com reports. Bell underwent minor surgery to clean up his knee and Achilles tendon in January, so his absence from Wednesday's OTA session could well be maintenance-related. With Reggie Bush no longer in the mix, Bell currently slots in as the Lions' No. 1 running back, with Ameer Abdullah, the 54th overall pick in the NFL draft, a candidate to push him for the starting job at some point down the road, the Detroit Free Press reports. Meanwhile, Theo Riddick is also on hand and appears poised to contribute as a pass-catcher out of the Detroit backfield.

Bell recently underwent what the Detroit Free Press describes as minor surgeries to clean up his knee and Achilles tendon. On the plus side, Bell, who led the Lions with 860 rushing yards (on 223 carries) in 15 games this past season, while scoring eight total TDs, is expected to return in time for the Lions' organized offseason workouts. Health permitting, he's on track to remain to team's lead back as the 2015 campaign approaches.