Now that Lions running back Kevin Smith (knee) is on injured reserve, backup Maurice Morris steps into the starting role. He has had only 42 carries this season -- only four over the past three games.
"I'd like to see Maurice be able to get those carries," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "He hasn't had a lot of carries this year, mostly as that second role. He basically gets everything that Kevin was getting."
Rookie Aaron Brown probably will continue to be a change-of-pace back. Brown has struggled with mental mistakes on offense and special teams. He was just benched as the kickoff returner after botching a play Sunday at Baltimore. But Linehan said he had been working hard at tailback and in the slot.
"He's got to get himself ready to play a significant amount of plays," Linehan said.
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