Bell (ankle) plans to practice this week and expects to play Sunday against the Bears, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Assuming he is able to return to action this week, there's an opportunity for Bell to reclaim a portion of the Lions' backfield touches, with fellow RB Ameer Abdullah having fumbled twice in Week 5.

Bell (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

According to MLive.com, Bell had a procedure on his ankle back in March, in addition to the reported surgeries on his Achilles and knee. The third surgery explains his slow recovery leading up to the season, and he's reportedly been bothered by the ankle all along. Bell's early-season struggles now come with more context, but he seems to be in danger of missing games beyond Week 5. With the Detroit offensive line struggling and the backfield still crowded, Bell offers very little upside.

Bell (ankle) did not take part in Friday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Bell's Week 5 status will not officially be revealed until Friday afternoon, but it was reported Thursday that he is not expected to play this week, and a missed practice Friday certainly does not help his chances of suiting up Sunday.

Bell (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press noted that the running back isn't expected to play Sunday against the Cardinals.

The Lions haven't officially ruled out Bell for the Week 5 contest, but Birkett's report paves the way for Ameer Abdullah to head the backfield for a second week in a row. If Monday's loss to the Seahawks is any indication, Abdullah will earn most of the carries, while Theo Riddick serves in a pass-catching role.

Bell (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, MLive.com reports.

Bell's absence on Monday night gave Ameer Abdullah unfettered access to touches out of the Lions' backfield, but the rookie could only muster 13 rushes for 33 yards on the ground and two catches for 11 yards against the Seahawks' typically stout defense. Meanwhile, Theo Riddick took on a pass-catching role, turning five receptions into 31 yards. If Bell remains out of commission, the preceding breakdown of reps between Abdullah and Riddick will likely be replicated.

Bell (ankle) has been ruled out of Monday's game against the Seahawks, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Bell has been incredibly underwhelming thus far this season, averaging just 2.5 yards per touch and 1.1 yard per rush through three games. Rookie Ameer Abdullah and third-down back Theo Riddick should get increased touches against a tough Seahawks rush defense Monday in Bell's absence.

Bell (ankle) missed practice again on Friday and is in jeopardy of sitting out in Week 4, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Despite finding the end zone in Week 3, Bell has been downright unpleasant to watch thus far, averaging an abysmal 2.5 yards per touch and 1.1 yards per rush. He has been a starter in name only through three weeks, his 61 offensive snaps trailing the 86 rookie Ameer Abdullah has logged and narrowly leading third-down back Theo Riddick's 58. Though his size and physical running style make him Detroit's defacto goal-line back, his level of production shouldn't be missed by fantasy owners or the Lions if he is held out on Monday.

Bell (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, the Lions' official site reports.

Neither the nature nor the extent of the ankle injury are known, placing a cloud over Bell's Week 4 viability. Consequently, owners should keep a watchful eye on his activity level as the weekend approaches to get a better picture of the breakdown of snaps within the Lions' backfield. Through three games, Bell has handled 31 percent of the offensive snaps versus 43 percent for rookie Ameer Abdullah.

Bell took 10 carries for six yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-12 loss to the Broncos.

Bell also caught his only target, but he lost two yards on the play. He's been brutal through the first three games, gaining just 22 yards on 20 carries for a team that's often been forced to go pass-heavy. Ameer Abdullah has also found the sledding rough since Week 1, but he at least offers an explosive element that Bell lacks. Although the Lions may eventually run out of patience, Bell still managed 25 snaps in Sunday's game, compared to Abdullah's 37, according to Pro Football Focus.

Bell had two rushing yards on four carries and 16 receiving yards on three catches in Sunday's loss to Minnesota.

Bell was touted as Lions' lead back throughout the offseason, but has played second fiddle in a true committee thus far this season. Through two weeks, Ameer Abdullah leads Lions' backs with 18 touches, followed by Bell with 14, Theo Riddick with eight and Zach Zenner with two. Most disturbing for Bell's fantasy owners, is that he's averaging just 4.2 yards per touch, including 1.8 yard per carry. He should remain on your bench until further notice and may be a candidate to be cut in the weeks to come.

Bell rushed for 14 yards on six carries and added two receptions for 27 yards in Sunday's 33-28 loss to San Diego.

Bell may be atop the top running back on the Lions' depth chart, but he saw fewer carries and targets than 2015 second-round pick Ameer Abdullah on Sunday. Moving forward, Bell's size and bruising running style should still make him the go-to choice near the goal line, but Sunday cast doubt on any preconceived notion that Bell will be the Lions' bell-cow back for 2015.

Bell (knee/Achilles) was a full participant at practice on Wednesday, Justin Rogers MLive reports.

After spending the preseason on the physically unable to perform list, Bell looks to be at full strength entering the season. Whether that means that Bell, who has scored 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons, will get a full allotment of touches remains to be seen. At 29, he is getting up there in age for a running back and the team is fond of its younger options, Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick.

Bell (knee/Achilles) isn't listed on the Lions' injury report Wednesday, the team's official site reports.

After release of the season's first injury report, Bell has avoided any question about his potential availability in Week 1 and backed up his placement atop the Lions' initial running-back depth chart. Expect Theo Riddick to act as the third-down back Sunday at San Diego, while rookie Ameer Abdullah's reps are likely contingent upon how much work Bell can handle.

Bell (knee/Achilles) is listed atop the Lions' initial depth chart, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Bell's spot on the depth chart was to be expected, as the real question pertains to his health. He was activated from the PUP list last week, but it's still unclear whether he'll be available for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Chargers. Even if he plays, Bell may be on a limited snap count, with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick also involved in the offense. Abdullah, in particular, looms as a serious threat to Bell's workload.

Bell (knee) says that he has exceeded his own expectations with his recovery, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press reports.

While Bell is pleased with where he is physically and is listed as the Lions'starter on the team's most recent depth chart, head coach Jim Caldwell was noncommittal about whether he'd be ready for the Lions' season opener. Bell's experience, physical running style and ability in pass protection should ensure that he leads the Lions in snaps this season provided he stays healthy. Still, with the emergence of rookie Ameer Abdullah this preseason and all the first-team reps Theo Riddick received in training camp, fantasy owners shouldn't be expecting a career year from Bell.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Lions are likely to deploy a running back committee even after Bell (knee/Achilles) returns, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News reports.

Though Bell has rushed for 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons, Theo Riddick and rookie Ameer Abdullah will get opportunities as well, quarterback Matthew Stafford told reporters. Remember, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi cut his teeth in New Orleans, an organization that has long rotated backs. With an improved stable behind him, Bell may see a reduction in production in 2015.