ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions are going to be without running back Joique Bell for their Monday night game against Seattle.

Bell has struggled this season for Detroit, rushing 20 times for 22 yards -- a 1.1-yard average. The veteran missed the preseason while recovering from knee and Achilles injuries suffered last season. Now Bell has an ankle injury that kept him out of practice the entire week.

The Lions have had the worst rushing offense in the league this season, averaging 45 yards per game.

Bell's absence likely means a lot more work for rookie Ameer Abdullah, who is Detroit's leading rusher with 21 carries for 82 yards, and rookie Zach Zenner. Zenner led the NFL in rushing during the preseason but has seen little work in the first three games of the regular season.

The Lions expressed confidence in Zenner earlier this week if he had to have a larger role in the offense with Bell out.

"Oh, he's ready," Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. "Zach, if you guys knew him, you know he's ready. He's going to be just fine, whatever is asked of him.

"If all the running backs wake up on Sunday with the flu, Zach Zenner could do it all."

The Lions will also be without tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who injured his hamstring in the team's season-opening loss to San Diego. He was spotted running on the side earlier this week, perhaps a sign he could be making his way toward a return.

Linebacker DeAndre Levy, who has missed the first three weeks of the season with a hip injury, is listed as doubtful despite practicing on a limited basis all week. Starting right guard Larry Warford and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah are questionable.