Allen Park — Lions coach Jim Caldwell offered Saturday his most optimistic comments of the summer in discussing how close running back Joique Bell and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata are to making their return to practice.
"Being honest with you, both guys look really good and both guys are in good shape right now," he said.
Bell is on the physically unable to perform list and has not practiced at all this offseason. Yet, despite rookie Ameer Abdullah's impressive summer, Bell should be the top running back on the depth chart when he returns.
Although Caldwell hasn't provided much certainty with regards to their status, the expectation remains that both players will be ready by Week 1.