NFL teams
Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Lions activate Joique Bell, Haloti Ngata

NFL, Detroit Lions

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions have activated starting running back Joique Bell and starting defensive tackle Haloti Ngata from their various inactive lists.

Bell, who had been recovering from knee and Achilles injuries, had been on the physically unable to perform list. On Saturday, he had indicated he was close to returning, adding that he and the doctors would play it by ear whether he would be activated this week.

Ngata had been dealing with a strained hamstring and had not participated at all in training camp. He had been on the non-football injury list. The Lions traded for Ngata in March to replace the loss of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who left in free agency for Miami.

The activations of Bell and Ngata give the Lions their full complement of players for the first time this preseason. While it is unlikely either one plays Thursday night in the preseason finale, it does put them on a better track to be available for Week 1 against San Diego.

Bell is coming off a year in which he rushed for a career-high 860 yards. He will join a backfield that includes rookies Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner along with Theo Riddick and George Winn.

Ngata is expected to be the run-stopping anchor of the defensive line.

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