Allen Park, MI -- (Sports Network) - The Detroit Lions signed free agent running back Rudi Johnson to a one-year contract Tuesday and released running back Tatum Bell.

Johnson's arrival spelled the end of Bell's tenure as backup to running back Kevin Smith.

The 5-foot-10, 225-pound Johnson has been bothered by hamstring problems that limited him to 11 games a season ago and cost him valuable preseason playing time before being released by the Bengals on Saturday.

Johnson, 28, was a fourth-round pick by Cincinnati in the 2001 draft. The 2004 Pro Bowl selection finished his Cincinnati career ranked third on the franchise list in rushing yards (5,742), behind only Corey Dillon and James Brooks, second in attempts (1,441) behind Dillon, and second in rushing touchdowns (48) behind Pete Johnson.

Bell was limited to five games in 2007, racking up 182 yards and one touchdown on 44 carries. He added 14 receptions for 63 yards. Over four seasons with Denver and Detroit, the Oklahoma State product has 2,524 rushing yards and 14 scores on 525 attempts, with 61 receptions for 362 yards.