ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -Tatum Bell expects the NFL’s trading deadline to come and go Tuesday, leaving him with the Detroit Lions.
Bell said reports about his agent asking the Lions last week to trade him were overblown, but the running back acknowledged being unhappy with his role and the timing of it.
“It’s frustrating, being a contract year. You want to put a show on,” Bell said Monday. “But I’m here now. I’m staying. I’m excited about helping the team.”
Bell had just four carries for 15 yards in Detroit’s last game, a 34-3 loss at Washington in Week 5.
Lions coach Rod Marinelli dismissed the trade talk swirling around Bell.
“All I know is, we’re keeping him,” Marinelli said.
The Lions acquired Bell and tackle George Foster in the offseason from Denver in exchange for cornerback Dre’ Bly, and both might be in danger of losing their first-string jobs.
Playing for the Broncos, Bell ran for 1,026 yards last season and 921 in 2005.
Bell said he only got a chance to show what he could do in the opening win at Oakland, when he had season highs with 15 carries, 87 yards, a 24-yard run and a touchdown.
“I felt like that was the only chance I really got to show that I can get some yards,” he said. “But other than that, I really haven’t had too much opportunity.”
Bell has run the ball 44 times in five games, picking up 4.1 yards per carry.
Kevin Jones has been worked into the offense more – getting at least 10 carries in each of the past two games – after missing the first two games recovering from a foot injury.
Bell has started each game, and is preparing to be the No. 1 back when Detroit (3-2) hosts Tampa Bay (4-2) on Sunday.
“I’m going in the same way I’ve been practicing, as the starter until they tell me otherwise,” he said.
Bell is eager to get back on the field. He’s not the only Lion feeling that way after getting routed by the Redskins and resting last week.
“When you lose before the bye, it seems like you sit around and ponder,” guard Ed Mulitalo said. “I’m itching to get back and try to get this taste out of our mouth.”
Marinelli was pleased with the way the team got back to work on Monday.
“I think you always come back anxious to play. You hadn’t hit anybody,” he said. “We didn’t practice a lot of football last week. They came back nice and feisty.”
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