Detroit Lions Are Thin at Running Back With Voided Ronnie Brown Trade, Jerome Harrison's Brain Tumor, and Jahvid Best's Concussions

Jahvid Best suffered a concussion on Sunday, the second of this year (he had one in the preseason), and he also had a serious concussion in college that cost him the last four games at Cal. Last year, Best struggled with a toe injury, and finished the year with a 3.2 ypc, though he was productive as a receiver with 58 catches. He’s probably not going to be a 20-25 carry guy. The Lions tried to address this by adding a bigger back in Mikel LeShoure to make up a 1-2 committee with Best, but LeShoure tore his Achille’s tendon in the preseason.

Head injuries are serious business. Given that this is a second concussion in two months, it’s cause for concern. Mike Freeman has reported that those around Best have strongly advised him to sit out the rest of the season.

Now, with Best having a serious head injury, LeShoure out before the season began, Harrison out as he gets treatment for his tumor, and Ronnie Brown no longer coming to Detroit as the trade deadline has passed, the Lions could truly test the “anyone can get plugged in at running back” idea. Maurice Morris, a career backup with less than 3,500 career rushing yards who will turn 32 in a few weeks, is first up now, along with Keiland Williams, and the team will look to its practice squad (James Davis) and any other available means to find other backs.

[photo via Getty]