ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions tailback Mikel Leshoure got just two carries last season, which means there's pretty much no where to go but up.

And he anticipates that's exactly what's going to happen.

"I can't tell you (what my role will be) during OTAs, but it looks like I'll be involved a little more that last year so far," Leshoure told MLive this week. "As far as the role, I don't know. That could change weekly. But I think I'll be more involved than last year obviously."

Leshoure was drafted in the second round by the Lions in 2011 and was the team's leading rusher in 2012. But he fell out of favor last year following the signing of Reggie Bush emergence of Joique Bell, and even the sixth-round selection of Theo Riddick.

He is hoping a new staff with a fresh approach -- one noted for its use of multiple tailbacks -- will spur his return to the lineup.

"It's a new beginning," he said. "It's a lot of running plays. (Coordinator Joe Lombardi) comes from New Orleans, where backs rotated a lot. We know we're going to run the ball here, and I'm excited by the opportunity."

Leshoure could have a tough fight ahead of him. Bush and Bell are entrenched as the 1-2 combo atop the depth chart, and Lombardi has hailed Riddick as one of the standouts of OTAs.

Riddick also contributes as a core special teams member, which could work against Leshoure's candidacy for a bigger role.

But Leshoure is committed to retaking a role in the offense. That includes showing up at OTAs in some of the best shape of his career.

He says he's cut out sweets and fried food and no longer eats after 8 p.m. He says he's leaner than ever and that has given him some extra pop.

"I'm not eating too late. Just cutting back on sweets and bad stuff I used to have in my diet," Leshoure said. "Nothing major has changed. Just eliminating what you're not supposed to have, like sweets and fried foods and things like that. Late-night snacking is like 10 o'clock to me. You don't need to eat past 8."