Joique Bell Will Be Top-10 Fantasy Option with Injuries to Detroit Lions

Joique Bell, a mid-round fantasy pick in most leagues, has been disappointing thus far, thanks to a general mix of ineffectiveness on the ground, an unpredictable timeshare with Reggie Bush and a concussion.

Get ready for that change in Week 6.

With superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) doubtful and Bush (ankle) not expected to play after missing the entire week of practice, the Detroit Lions are going to be—I'm so sorry—ringing the Bell on Sunday. And against a Minnesota Vikings defense that has been gashed on the ground, a major workload is going to lead to RB1 numbers.

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

"Whatever they need me to do, I'm ready to do it," Bell said, via MLive Media Group's Kyle Meinke. "They need me to carry the load, I can do it. They need me to go catch a couple passes, I can do that. Whatever they need me to do."

All of the above will do just fine, thanks.

Bell is averaging a meager 3.2 yards per carry on the season, but his workload has remained consistent. In the first three weeks, he tallied 40 carries and seven receptions, an average of 15.7 touches per game. With Bush and Johnson both likely out, that number is going to increase into the 20-25 range.

Now, with that in mind, consider what running backs have done against the Vikes thus far:

Player	CAR	YDS	YPC	TD	REC	YDS	TD	Fan Pts
Zac Stacy, STL	11	43	3.9	0	1	8	0	5.1
Stevan Ridley, NE	25	101	4.0	1	0	0	0	16.1
Khiry Robinson, NO	18	69	3.8	0	0	0	0	6.9
Pierre Thomas, NO	8	30	3.8	1	3	21	0	11.1
Antone Smith, ATL	4	62	13.5	1	0	0	0	12.2
Steven Jackson, ATL	13	49	3.8	0	2	13	0	6.2
Eddie Lacy, GB	13	105	8.1	2	3	27	0	25.2

Overall, per Pro-Football-Referene.com, they are 18th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.3), and according to Football Outsiders' DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) stat, they have the 24th-ranked rushing defense.

There really couldn't be a better setup for Bell, a bruising runner who is very quietly also progressing as a great pass-catcher coming out of the backfield.

In a game in which he is a focal point of the offense (as long as Bush is out—make sure to check his status Sunday morning), he should have no trouble racking up 100 total yards and a touchdown.

That makes him must-start material in all leagues.