LeShoure has been inactive because he does not play special teams. The Lions have had pretty defined roles for their RB's over the last 2 seasons. I'd be willing to bet that if Bush is inactive, Bell will start and see the work Bush has been getting, with Leshoure spelling him for rest, and short yardage. LeShoure is a fine short yardage back, he was unseated because he lacks burst at the second level. He's also been a good soldier through all of this, so it's not like he's in the doghouse. It's just a gut call from a homer, but I feel pretty good in making it.Honestly, I don't see this as a concern at all. LeShoure has been a healthy scratch this season in favor of Bell. I'm not sure how he'd be a goal-line threat to Bell all of a sudden if Bush went down. If anything he'd be put out there simply to give Bell a breather. But steal opportunities from him? No way. I imagine we'd see what Charles saw in KC. Where even when he was on the bench he saw 100% of the actual carries in the game.That is my only concern. If Bush is out, I would not be surprised at all if LeShoure is active and the GL back. That should still leave plenty for Bell to be a RB1 in ppr, but it's a little less certain in non-ppr.If Bush doesn't play, I wonder if the Lions would have LeShoure active. Bell wouldn't be quite a cinch for any GL opportunities in that case.
Think he's a decent play this week if Bush is a go, and a top 5 back if Bush sits.
I am a Bell owner as well, so it's not something I'm rooting for either, it's just the way this staff has used backs. The running backs are used in the passing game so much here, there is no way it will be all Bell, all the time. They will find a way to get him breathers, and short yardage and GL is the one area where the drop off to LeShoure isn't that significant.