Joique Bell Injury: Updates on Lions RB's Recovery from Achilles Surgery

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell was been activated from the physically unable to perform list while he recovers from an Achilles surgery, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. He played in the team's opener against the Chargers, rushing for 14 yards on six carries.

Head coach Jim Caldwell was optimistic about his recovery since Aug. 4, via Monarrez: "I think he's feeling as good as he's felt in a long time. He had a string of injuries there that held him back a little bit, and you can see it out on the field. He's moving better, his reaction times are better, so certainly when we get pads on we're excited to see what he can do."

Bell had to overcome an Achilles issue in the latter stages of the regular season. However, it didn't force him to miss any game action. The only contest he sat out was in Week 5, when he was sidelined with a concussion. 

Speedy workhorse Ameer Abdullah rushed for over 1,600 yards in each of his final two seasons with the Cornhuskers and racked up 22 total touchdowns in 2014.

Bell is a far more reliable and established long-term option, though, as he topped 1,000 total yards and eight touchdowns last season, but Abdullah and Riddick may form a solid enough duo for Detroit's offense to thrive until Bell is healthy enough to play.

Provided the injury carries into the regular season, the onus will be on quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate to pick up the slack.