Mikel Leshoure has plenty of talent.
But being healthy enough to show it is only one of the obstacles for the Lions running back, and they made a significant move this offseason because of it.
An Achilles injury wiped out his rookie year, and groin and hamstring problems plagued him last year, when the former second-rounder averaged a pedestrian 3.7 yards per carry.
“You know, I think at times last year we saw the Leshoure that we drafted and then we were too inconsistent in other games and I think that’s probably the biggest thing,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said, via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. “I think his biggest room for improvement is consistency from week to week, whether it’s physical or else wise.”
The Lions kept a close watch on his practice reps through OTAs, but he was a full participant in minicamp last week, a sign to him that things are turning.
“I’ve just got to get healthy,” Leshoure said. “Last year I was just dealing with a lot of things, nagging injuries weren’t where they needed to be coming off the first year of my injuries.
“I’ve just got to get healthy and consistency will come when you’re healthy.”
Of course, the Lions aren’t counting on him exclusively this year. Signing Reggie Bush was cover for the fact that they may never see Jahvid Best on the field, but Bush’s multiple skills could keep Leshoure from playing nearly as much of a role this year.