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When general manager Martin Mayhew was asked at the NFL Scouting Combine last week what he looks for in running backs, he mentioned Theo Riddick's ability to "make a difference in the passing game" and Joique Bell's success running between the tackles, but he left out Bush completely.

Mayhew said the Lions had not yet made a determination about Bush's future in Detroit and acknowledged his tenure with the team was "up in the air."

Now it's not.

The 29-year-old running back, who was halfway through the four-year deal he signed upon arrvial in Detroit, was slated to make $3.25 million in 2015 and $3.75 million in 2016. DetroitLions.com staffer Tim Twentyman notes the Lions will create more than $1.7 million in cap space by releasing Bush.

Bush missed five games last year because of a nagging ankle injury and fell behind Bell in the Lions' running back rotation. He rushed for just 297 yards, the second lowest total of his career. As DetroitLions.com's Mike O'Hara noted, that marked a substantial decline from the 2013 season, when Bush gave the Lions the game-breaking tailback they had lacked.

He carried 223 times for 1,006 yards – the second highest rushing total of his career – and added 54 catches for 506 yards. He scored seven touchdowns – four rushing and three on receptions.

Now, with a deep class of running backs in this year's draft, it makes sense for the Lions to try to get younger at the position.

Bell will be 29 in August, and Riddick, a sixth-round pick in 2013, has been used sparingly as a rusher in his first two NFL seasons -- although that's likely to change. George Winn is also on the roster.

Worth noting, Bell underwent minor surgery to clean up his knee and Achilles tendon last week, but the team's leading rusher is expected to return in time for organized off-season workouts. Bell led the Lions with 860 yards rushing in 15 games this year and missed one game with a brain injury.

He appeared on the injury report in Weeks 3 and 4 with a knee injury and Week 17 with an Achilles injury, but did not miss any time for either injury.

Meanwhile, Bush, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft, has rushed for 5,465 yards and 35 touchdowns and has caught 466 passes for 3,489 yards and 18 TDs. He played his first five seasons with New Orleans (2006-2010) before moving on to Miami (2011-2012).

As Profootballtalk.com suggested upon his release, Bush could appeal to clubs looking for a pass-catching back. He could also have a market with teams seeking to add to their RB rotation.