Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Joique Bell has a busy weekend ahead.

On Saturday, Bell will host about 30 friends and family members for commencement ceremonies at Wayne State, where he'll receive his master's degree in sports administration.

On Sunday, Bell could make his return to the field for the Detroit Lions, the team that released him in a cost-cutting move 10 months ago.

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Bell re-signed with the Lions on Tuesday and took part in his first practice Wednesday, wearing a new jersey number - 44 - that he said was a tribute to his former teammate Jahvid Best.

Bell worked out for the Lions earlier this fall, but signed with the Chicago Bears in late September. He appeared in four games with the Bears, carrying three times for 6 yards in a win over the Lions in his first game.

In a twist of fate, the Lions (8-4) host the Bears (3-9) on Sunday.

"When I left the Bears I texted (Lions general manager Bob Quinn) and said, 'Bring me home,'" Bell said. "He sent me a text the other day that said, 'Do you want to come home?' I said, 'Yeah.'

"At the end of the day, my heart has never left here, my heart’s always been here. My family’s here, played most of my career here. I kind of built of my foundation here. It’s just great to be able to be back here and just contribute back to something that the team is already doing. They’re having a great season so far. I’m just glad to be able to be back and help out."

Bell spent parts of five seasons with the Lions after the team signed him off the New Orleans Saints practice squad late in the 2011 season.

He ran for 650 yards as a part-time starter in 2013 and a team-high 860 yards a year later, but was hampered by a knee injury last year.

Bell said there were no hard feelings when the Lions cut him in February,

"It was a business," he said.

And he said he's looking forward to helping the team in anyway possible down the stretch.

The Lions rank 29th in the NFL in rushing and are dealing with mounting injuries in their backfield. Theo Riddick, who's battled a sprained ankle much of the season, did not practice Wednesday because of a wrist injury, and top backup Dwayne Washington was limited by a sprained ankle.

Starter Ameer Abdullah underwent foot surgery in September and remains on injured reserve.

"Just all around I think it’s great (to be back)," Bell said. "I think I can contribute a lot from whether it’s playing offense, special teams, coaching up the young guys, being here with the young guys. It’s great to get back and I’m excited."

Lions coach Jim Caldwell did not make any predictions about how much Bell will help offensively, but he said the running back's return should be a smooth one because of his familiarity with the system.

"He's a guy that understands and been around a number of different systems so they adapt pretty easily," Caldwell said. "We certainly know what his traits are, and he’s always been a very, very positive guy, a very, very good locker-room guy. A lot of energy, loves to play the game, and he’s a good, tough runner as well. And he’s alright with the ball in his hands throwing it to him also, so there’s a number of different things he can do."

As for getting his master's, Bell said there's a number of things he can do with that as well.

Bell said he's been working towards the degree since 2014, taking classes both online and at the university's Detroit campus, and he said walking in this weekend's commencement ceremony is important to him.

"It's funny that my first week back here is the same week that I graduate from Wayne State with my masters," Bell said. "I always preach that to the kids that I’m trying to mentor or kids that come to my camps, how important education is. And for me to be able to walk across that stage on Saturday, I don’t want to tell them to do something that I haven’t done. So for me to be able to go back to my alma matter and to finish my master’s degree there and have my son there, that’s probably one of the greatest experiences that I’ll ever have as a father."

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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