Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Joique Bell predicted a bounce-back season for himself this fall after battling injuries much of last year. If that's going to happen now, it won't be with the Detroit Lions.

The Lions cut Bell today, saving $2.5 million in cap space and saying good-bye to one of their best rags-to-riches stories.

Bell, who is from Benton Harbor, starred at Wayne State and bounced around the NFL for two seasons before finding a role as a backup in Detroit.

Bell, the Harlon Hill Trophy winner in 2009 as Division II player of the year, spent time with four NFL teams over two seasons before finding a home with the Lions.

Bell rushed for 414 yards in limited action in 2012, teamed with Reggie Bush to give the Lions a two-headed backfield a year later and led the team with 860 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 2014.

Last year, coming off knee, Achilles and ankle surgeries, Bell was ineffective early in the season and fell behind Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner on the depth chart.

With no special-teams value, Bell's future in Detroit seemed limited though he reiterated last month that he hoped to retire a Lion.

"As far as my health, this is the best off-season I’ve had since going into my third year (in 2012),” Bell told the Free Press while delivering water to Flint with teammates. “Going into my third year, I had a pretty good season. I feel probably just as good now as I felt then. So I really have an off-season where I can train the way that I want to train and get after it.”

Abdullah, a second-round pick last year, and Riddick are expected to share the backfield load, with Zenner, who finished last season on injured reserve with broken ribs, taking over as short-yardage back.

Bell thanked the city on Twitter and Instagram after news of his release hit the waiver wire today.

“It's been a pleasure Detroit,” Bell wrote. “Home is where the heart is and my heart will always be here.”

Bell still will count $1 million against the Lions' salary cap this fall.

Cornerback Rashean Mathis also announced his retirement after 13 NFL seasons.

Together, the two moves give the Lions about $4 million in additional cap space for 2016.

For now, the Lions project to have about $28 in cap room this off-season, a number that could grow to more than $40 million should Calvin Johnson retire.

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

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Lions CB Rashean Mathis retires from NFL