Detroit Lions position battles and roster breakdown: Running back

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Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off the football to Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Who is gone

Joique Bell made a return to the Lions late last season but was ineffective in his limited opportunities. Bell has not stuck with the team into the offseason and doesn’t look likely to ever return to the Lions, or perhaps any other NFL team.

The only other player from the Lions’ offensive backfield by the end of the 2016 season who will not return is fullback Michael Burton. While there was a place for a fullback in Joe Lombardi’s offense when the team drafted Burton, the position has been phased out with the offense now under the direction of Jim Bob Cooter.

Burton was good at what he did, it’s just that the current iteration of the Lions’ offense doesn’t call for someone with Burton’s skill set.

Justin Forsett also spent time in the Lion’s running back rotation during the 2016 season but was gone before the season ended. He latched on with the Denver Broncos after his stint with the Lions but announced his retirement last month.

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