Lions' Bell out, but getting help from the dark side?

Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell sat out practice after being placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list last week. He tried to make the most of being limited to standing on the sideline. Bell wore an oxygen-restriction mask during practice and while he spoke with reporters, who had a hard time understanding him between his Darth Vader-like deep gasps of air.

"Working on my lungs," Bell said of his reason for the mask.

Bell is recovering from knee and Achilles surgery this off-season. There is no timetable for when he will begin practicing, although Caldwell indicated Sunday that Bell would play in the exhibition season, which begins Aug. 13.

Bell said he could not say when he might start practicing.

"Coach Caldwell has a better idea of when I might be back as far as the evaluation of my injuries," he said.

Caldwell maintained an optimistic view of Bell's status.

"I think he's feeling as good as he's felt in a long time," Caldwell said. "He had a string of injuries there that held him back a little bit, and you can see it out on the field. He's moving better, his reaction times are better, so certainly when we get pads on we're excited to see what he can do."

This is a vital off-season for Bell. With Reggie Bush gone and Ameer Abdullah an untested rookie, Bell could be primed to finally lock down the starting job. But he said he's not frustrated while he remains sidelined.

"I just keep working the hardest I can to be the best that I can," Bell said.

Contact Carlos Monarrez: cmonarrez@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.