Mikel Leshoure is stuck in the NFL's version of purgatory. The Detroit Lions won't play him. They won't trade him, either.
The 2011 second-round draft pick understandably is "frustrated" after failing to get off the bench last week when Reggie Bush missed the Lions' 27-20 victory with a knee injury.
Leshoure denied a recent report that he would welcome a trade, but he made it clear Wednesday that he "just want(s) to play."
The Indianapolis Coltschecked in on Leshoure's availability before striking a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns for Trent Richardson last week. According to the Detroit Free Press, several other teams inquired about the Lions' backup running back during training camp.
Even if Leshoure could net a draft pick, general manager Martin Mayhew has no intention of paring his backfield depth. Leshoure has been told that he's essentially stuck in a fire extinguisher role, lying dormant until an emergency strikes in the form of a serious injury to Bush or Joique Bell.
"Last time I talked to him, he pretty much said that he wants me here, he doesn't have any intentions on trading me, and it's a long season, and he just wants me to be here, just in case," Leshoure said of Mayhew. "You never know what happens. Like I said, it's a long season, backs get banged up, somebody can go down and I guess (I'm) more so a security blanket."
Reading between the lines, there's no question that Leshoure is indeed open to a trade. He just doesn't want to develop a reputation as a malcontent by acknowledging it in public.
"I'm not going to sit here and be in their office every day," Leshoure added, via ESPN. "That's not the type of player I am."
If Leshoure isn't the type to make waves, his patience is going to be tested until Mayhew changes his stance -- perhaps by next offseason.
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