Calvin Johnson's Injury Makes Joique Bell Week 7 Fantasy Stud

On the list of things the 2014 Detroit Lions do well, running the ball rates just above kicking field goals. Despite their futile effort to get the ground game going, Joique Bell has an opening to do something special thanks to Calvin Johnson's ankle injury. 

According to Tim Twentyman of Lions.com, it doesn't sound like Johnson is in a rush to test his ankle in game action soon:

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters, via Michael Rothstein of ESPN, that we may not see Megatron back until after the team's bye in Week 9:

"

I do not hold a medical degree. It may appear I do from time to time to you, maybe, but I don't. The fact of the matter is I leave it up to the doctors. Those are the professionals. They know exactly what it takes.

Them in conjunction with Calvin and how he feels, they treat not only symptoms of the situation but also the patient as well, in terms of how he feels. So they'll let us know what's the best path to take.

"

While that's not the news fans in Detroit want to hear, fantasy owners should take note of what this does to the Lions offense. In the last two games against Buffalo and Minnesota, they've scored a total of 31 points and racked up 528 yards. 

Even though Johnson played most of the game against Buffalo, it was clear he wasn't right before exiting in the third quarter. The results showed on the field. In the first game Caldwell had time to game plan without Megatron available against the Vikings, there were signs of life from the running game and a commitment to get it going. 

Of the 255 yards the Lions had versus the Vikings, 100 of them came on the ground. It's not a great total but was their second-best output of the year after running for 115 yards against Green Bay in Week 3. 

Bell, in particular, looked good with a season-high 18 carries and 74 yards against Minnesota. He also scored his first touchdown since Week 1 against the New York Giants and added 23 yards in the passing game. 

Fantasy owners should be salivating at Detroit's Week 7 matchup against New Orleans. The Saints have been a disaster on defense this season, ranking 16th against the run, 23rd in total defense, 25th against the pass and 28th in points allowed per game. 

There is a downside, as Reggie Bush says he will return this week after missing Week 6 with a sprained ankle. That could limit the number of touches for Bell, though the Lions have shown a willingness to trust the fourth-year back by giving him 21 more carries than Bush so far this season. 

Bell's performance has also gotten better as the season has gone on. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry or less in each of his first four games, but is averaging just under 4.1 on 26 carries in the last two games played. 

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

In order for the Lions to consistently move the ball, they need to show a commitment to running the ball. Matthew Stafford has been eaten alive by opposing defenses who have sacked him 21 times already, most in the NFL. 

Rob Ryan's defense may be allowing a lot of yards and points, but that won't stop him from blitzing, especially against this offensive line. To contain that pass rush, Caldwell needs to make New Orleans respect the run.

Last week, the Lions nearly had a 1-to-1 run-pass ratio with 33 throws and 28 runs. This is still a pass-happy team with 212 attempts, but Bell's output last week and signs of trying to establish the run are encouraging. 

Also, per ESPN's Jim McCormick, New Orleans' defense is allowing the third-most fantasy points in road games to opposing teams. Bell is a factor behind the line of scrimmage and in the passing game—he's had more than 50 catches in each of his first two seasons—so the touches will come regardless of Bush's presence. 

The Lions haven't been forced to use the run much this season, nor is there any evidence they are capable of being successful with it. They're 29th in rushing yards per game (86.3) and 31st in yards per attempt. Sometimes, though, the matchup is just too perfect to pass up. 

Bell is ascending into a more prominent role with the Lions. He deserves to touch the ball more, regardless of who the opponent is, and immediately becomes Detroit's best offensive weapon as long as Johnson is on the shelf. 

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