Jahvid Best Fantasy News

Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 2:14pm

Lions running back Jahvid Best will be cleared for football contact in June, according to Lions general manager Martin Mayhew.

“He’s been doing everything in the offseason program and we expect he’ll be cleared sometime probably in June,” Mayhew told Mike O’Hara and Ken Brown on WJR Monday night. “We look forward to having him on the field.”

Jahvid Best not limited in OTAs
Sunday, April 22, 2012, 3:23pm

Jahvid Best reached one of the first major checkpoints in his recovery back from a season-ending concussion this week, as Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Best has not been limited during the team's voluntary offseason program.

Speaking at a promotional appearance in Livonia, Mich., Schwartz said Saturday that Best is "doing the same things everybody else is doing."

Jahvid Best still not cleared for contact
Monday, April 16, 2012, 5:32am

In October, Lions running back Jahvid Best suffered his latest concussion. Six months later, he has yet to receive the green light to return to the football field.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that doctors have not yet given Best full clearance.

Best has been cleared to work out, something he’s been doing since December. And he’ll be present for the start of the team’s offseason program on Monday, since for the first two weeks it consists exclusively of working out.

“We’re just waiting on final clearance with Jahvid,” G.M. Martin Mayhew said. “It’s not like a hamstring where it’s a certain amount of time and a guy’s going to be ready. With the head you have to be careful and be smart. We’re not doing anything right now. There’s no need to rush to judgment on Jahvid’s situation. So we’re very optimistic. He’s doing very well. He feels great. He’s training right now and we’re looking forward to him being cleared.”

The problem is that Best eventually will suffer more blows to the head, given the position that he plays.

The Lions re-sign RB Kevin Smith
Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 3:53pm

Running back Kevin Smith is returning to the Detroit Lions, and this time it didn't take half a season for it to happen.

Smith, who played in seven games and led the Lions with four rushing touchdowns last year, signed a one-year deal to remain with the team today.

He'll likely serve as insurance for Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best. Leshoure missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon while Best played in just six games and has a history of concussions.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 7:03pm

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best, who sat out the final 10 games last season after suffering another concussion, has been cleared to work out, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The source said Best will be able to take part in the Detroit's OTAs, minicamps and training camp. While Best hasn't been cleared to return to football yet, the source would be "shocked" if Best isn't able to fully participate.

Best suffered his latest concussion on Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco, and was placed on injured reserve in November.

Best also missed time during this preseason because of a concussion, and when he was a college player at California, he missed a few games after a fall knocked him out and sent him to the hospital with a concussion and sore back.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 4:59pm

Lions RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems, and even if Best returns, it’s clear he’s not an every-down back.

Monday, January 9, 2012, 7:15pm

Lions RB Jahvid Best said he's symptom free and will "definitely" be back playing next year.

Monday, November 28, 2011, 2:40pm

The Detroit Lions announced today they will place running Jahvid Best on season-ending injured reserve because of ongoing concussion problems. The move is not expected to become official until next week.

Running back Kevin Smith suffered a high ankle sprain against the Packers, and his availability for next week's game against the New Orleans Saints is in question

If Smith can't play against the Saints, Maurice Morris will start at running back, and the Lions likely will have to add another player at the position. Aaron Brown and DeShawn Wynn are among the running backs who’ve worked for the Lions already this year.

Lions to place Jahvid Best on IR
Friday, November 25, 2011, 10:03pm

The Detroit Lions announced today they will place running Jahvid Best on season-ending injured reserve because of ongoing concussion problems. The move is not expected to become official until next week.

"Definitely expect him to be back next year," [his agent] TonyFleming said. "Being put on IR is more precautionary because he’s continuing to see specialists, and he’s just being evaluated still. It seems to be in the best interests to sit him for the season, but there’s nothing long-term that’s been established."

Friday, November 25, 2011, 5:03pm

Kevin Smith's comeback of the year story was put on ice — literally. He spent the last three quarters with an ice pack taped to his right ankle.

"It wasn't that bad, it's just a matter of I couldn't cut," said Smith, who had rushed for 36 yards and caught three passes for 21 yards before the injury. "If I can't help, I can't play. That's the bottom line. I've got 10 days. In my mind, I'll be ready. We will see what happens."

He injured the ankle — a high ankle sprain according to the Fox Sports broadcast — flipping the ball to Calvin Johnson on a double-reverse.

"My X-ray came back negative, so that's a positive," Smith said. "That's just part of the game. I was just cutting back, and someone fell on it. It's disappointing. I felt like I had a good flow. It felt like we were doing good."

Thursday, November 24, 2011, 4:33pm

Lions Inactives
Jahvid Best RB
Don Carey DB
Leonard Davis G
Ryan Donahue P
Lawrence Jackson DE
Alphonso Smith DB
Drew Stanton QB

Monday, November 21, 2011, 10:09pm

Whether or not Lions RB Kevin Smith is the starter now with Jahvid Best (concussion) out remains to be seen. (Best did return to the game-day sideline for the first time Sunday, which is a hopeful sign.) But Smith, who still could fill a third-down role — or more — even if Best returns to form, finished Sunday's game with 16 carries for 140 yards and four catches for 61 yards, as well as the career-best three touchdowns.