Lions' running back Joique Bell confident he'll be ready by training camp

Joique Bell, along with Reggie Bush, gave the Lions a potent 1-2 punch in 2013. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

It's crucial that the Detroit Lions have everyone on board this offseason as they make the head coaching transition from Jim Schwartz to Jim Caldwell. Unfortunately, they've been without running back Joique Bell for the few OTA sessions as he nurses an injured knee.

During an interview with MLive.com, Bell gave an update on his status and recovery time. While he said that it's a bit unlikely that he'll be ready to go for the mandatory mini-camp on June 10-12, he believes he'll be ready to get back to full duty come training camp time.

"Yeah, I do," Bell said confidently when asked if he'd be ready for camp.

In the Lions' disappointing campaign of 2013, Bell was one of the better performers on the team, rushing for 650 yards and eight touchdowns to go with 53 catches for 547 yards.

But health is the key, and Bell then went on to say that while he believes he'll be ready for training camp, he won't get back out there until he feels it's safe.

"My timetable is this, man: I'm working as hard as I can to get back as soon as I can," he said. "As soon as I feel I'm at a position where I can go out there and not hurt myself, that's when I'll be back out there."