ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Reggie Bush sat by his locker Monday afternoon after barely being used the day before against the Carolina Panthers and understood the questions would come.

He is listed as the Detroit Lions' starting running back, yet his counterpart, Joique Bell, has received more snaps and touches than Bush over the first two games of the season. And as Lions coach Jim Caldwell downplayed the distribution as game plan versus Bush being replaced as the starter, there were definitive questions about his role.

Whatever his true role is, Bush appears fine with it for now as Detroit tries to find a rhythm for a running game ranked 28th in the league in yards (146) and 29th in yards per carry (3.04).

"Joique's a good player and I'm glad he's on our team," Bush said. "He really brings a different element to our offense that really helps us and makes us that much more dynamic. We're going to find ways to get guys the ball.

"Coaches have talked about that and we've talked about that early on [Monday]. We're going to find a way to correct our mistakes and get better."

Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi preached patience with the Lions' running game Thursday as he continues to develop the offense. The Lions were taken out of running somewhat last Sunday against Carolina when Detroit fell behind. Against New York in the opener, Lombardi liked what he saw in the second half.

"It's one of those things you have to be patient with," Lombardi said. "I'm confident we're going to get it going."

Part of that could be involving Bush into the game plan more. That's something Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi told ESPN.com on Monday. For instance, if the Lions had stuck with the run game more last Sunday against Carolina, Bush probably would have seen some of those touches.

And there is a way Lombardi wants to use Bush, too. It just hasn't presented itself much in games.

"Sometimes, it's the flow of the game," Lombardi said. "Reggie has made a lot of his production when, hey, that's not there, boom, give [him] the ball on the checkdown. That happened early in the Giants game."

Bush has 10 fewer carries than Bell this season. He has one more catch than Bell (8 to 7) on two fewer targets (11 to 9). Bush, though, presents an interesting situation for Lombardi.

With just 15 carries and 41 yards, Bush's 2.7 yards per attempt is the fewest in his career, although he is working with a small sample size for now.

Lombardi wants that to increase. He also wants to make sure the Lions don't overuse the 29-year-old who has only played in all 16 regular-season games twice in his nine-year career.

"It's maybe the flow of the game," Lombardi said. "But you do have to be mindful that you do want to keep that player healthy. Keep him fast."

This is where Bush becomes an issue. He said Monday he can handle the ball more than he has touched it -- something Lombardi agrees with. But he also understands his role is different this season than it was last season under former offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.

Bush has run 20 routes out of the backfield through two games. He has run routes 13 times either in a designated tight end slot close to the line or lined up essentially as a receiver according to ESPN Stats & Information. This is the way the Lions envisioned using Bush, as when they can get him in open space, he can make one move and outrun almost everyone else on the field.

Those are the types of opportunities Lombardi is searching for.

"Some of it is in the game-planning," Lombardi said. "Some of these plays, who do we put [in]. Like that first bubble play we threw against the Giants, just give him more, 'Hey, we're throwing it to you, make something happen.' "

With Bush, that's always been his forte.