Joique Bell Signs With Chicago Bears

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Published on September 28 2016 6:19 am
Last Updated on September 28 2016 6:19 am

BY ESPN

Joique Bell has a new home and he's staying in the NFC North.

The former Detroit Lions running back signed with the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, and his first game with his new team will come against his old team. The Bears also signed another former Lion Tuesday, adding defensive lineman C.J. Wilson.

In another move Tuesday, the Bears placed cornerback Kyle Fuller on injured reserve. Fuller hadn't appeared in a game this season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in Week 2 of the preseason. A 2014 first-round pick, Fuller started 30 games and intercepted six passes over the last two seasons.

The Bears also promoted linebacker John Timu to the active roster. Linebacker Jonathan Anderson and tight end Greg Scruggs were waived.

Bell posted an announcement to his Instagram account before his signing was made official later Tuesday.

Detroit worked Bell out last week after the franchise lost Ameer Abdullah to injured reserve but decided not to sign him again after cutting him as a salary-cap casualty in February.

But Chicago needs running backs after Jeremy Langford injured his ankle in Sunday's loss to Dallas. ESPN Insider Adam Schefter is reporting Langford will be out four to six weeks.

Bell joins a backfield that includes rookie Jordan Howard and Ka'Deem Carey, who missed Week 3 with a hamstring injury.

The 30-year-old Bell struggled last season with Detroit, rushing 90 times for 311 yards and four touchdowns. He battled a multitude of injuries along the way that limited him to 13 games and also took the majority of his offseason work away from him as well. He eventually ended up behind Abdullah and Theo Riddick on the Lions' depth chart.

Originally an undrafted free agent from Wayne State, Bell has 561 career carries for 2,235 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Also a receiving threat out of the backfield, he has 161 receptions for 1,640 yards.