Similar to the prior Andre Johnson threads, the Jahvid Best threads have deteriorated significantly. Here's a new thread for more fact-based news, insight and analysis only please.
Starting off with an article from this mornings Detroit Free Press.
http://www.freep.com/article/20111021/SPORTS01/110210452/The-Best-case-scenario-Jahvid-Best-Lions-run-game
Jahvid Best was considered an injury risk coming out of college after a concussion ended his junior season at Cal prematurely. Two more concussions in a two-month span this year have heightened worries even more.
But while CBSSports.com reported that Best has been advised by people close to him "to strongly consider sitting out the year" because of his concussion history, the Lions remain hopeful he'll be a big part of their offense going forward -- in this season and beyond.
"I'm not," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said when asked Thursday how concerned he is about Best's long-term health. "He's a young player, and guys miss some time during the course of a season. I don't have any concerns. I'm sure he'll be out there soon, and he's going to have a long and great career for us."
Best missed his second straight practice Thursday, and several of his teammates said they don't expect him to play in Sunday's game against the Falcons, a loss that would leave the Lions thin at the running-back position.
Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams are the only healthy running backs currently on the roster, and they have just 28 combined carries for 69 yards on the season.
The Lions made a trade-deadline deal for Ronnie Brown on Tuesday, but that fell apart Wednesday when Kalamazoo native and Washington State product Jerome Harrison failed his physical, reportedly because of a brain tumor.
Harrison reverted back to the Lions' roster, though his status going forward is unclear. Neither Harrison nor his agent, Mitch Frankel, responded to messages seeking comment Thursday, and Harrison was listed with an "illness" on the Lions' injury report.
Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia reported that the tumor was discovered by an MRI after Harrison complained of recurring headaches to Eagles team physician Gary Dorshimer.
"It's unfortunate," said cornerback Eric Wright, who played with Harrison in Cleveland and said he learned about Harrison's condition from media reports. "Just pray for him and hope for the best. I know everything is going to turn out well for him. That's all we can do."
Best's situation isn't as critical.
He made a brief appearance in the Lions' locker room on Wednesday, though Morris said. Best hasn't been in meetings this week because "they kind of want him to stay away from the noise and lights, especially around here."
And Best's agent, Tony Fleming, said he wasn't aware of anyone advising Best to sit out the rest of the season.
"Definitely no truth to him being out for the year at this point," Fleming wrote in a text message. "He will continue to be evaluated on a weekly basis."
Despite Best's history of concussions, doctors not affiliated with him or the Lions say there's no reason to end the running back's season simply based on the number of head injuries he's had.
"Each time somebody gets a concussion, it's a new concussion," said Dr. Richard Figler, who runs the clinical care division of the concussion center at the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Center. "Concussions themselves, if you treat them appropriately with the guidelines, everyone returns once they're 100% asymptomatic. There are no specific set guidelines that we have to say that two concussions in periods of a month or two months or three months means that someone should never play football again or is out for the season."
Added Dr. Jeffrey Kovan, the head primary care team physician at Michigan State: "We're all trying to make this major push that if you've had two concussions, three concussions, you should sit out a year, however long, maybe a career.
"And the reality (is) that was the old school, the way we did it, and even that was just based on opinion. There was never any science to support it."
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Best continues to follow the NFL's concussion protocols, which require clearance from an independent neurologist before he returns.
"Like we talked about before, it's not a situation you can tough out, and I think the NFL's been very proactive in what we're doing with concussions," Schwartz said. "We've had some players that have had them, some guys that have missed time and some guys that have gotten back, and I think we'll just take that same approach with Jahvid. As soon as he gets clearance he'll be back."
Will that be this year?
"Oh certainly," Linehan said. "I wouldn't see any other reason, unless anyone tells me otherwise."
Starting off with an article from this mornings Detroit Free Press.
http://www.freep.com/article/20111021/SPORTS01/110210452/The-Best-case-scenario-Jahvid-Best-Lions-run-game
Jahvid Best was considered an injury risk coming out of college after a concussion ended his junior season at Cal prematurely. Two more concussions in a two-month span this year have heightened worries even more.
But while CBSSports.com reported that Best has been advised by people close to him "to strongly consider sitting out the year" because of his concussion history, the Lions remain hopeful he'll be a big part of their offense going forward -- in this season and beyond.
"I'm not," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said when asked Thursday how concerned he is about Best's long-term health. "He's a young player, and guys miss some time during the course of a season. I don't have any concerns. I'm sure he'll be out there soon, and he's going to have a long and great career for us."
Best missed his second straight practice Thursday, and several of his teammates said they don't expect him to play in Sunday's game against the Falcons, a loss that would leave the Lions thin at the running-back position.
Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams are the only healthy running backs currently on the roster, and they have just 28 combined carries for 69 yards on the season.
The Lions made a trade-deadline deal for Ronnie Brown on Tuesday, but that fell apart Wednesday when Kalamazoo native and Washington State product Jerome Harrison failed his physical, reportedly because of a brain tumor.
Harrison reverted back to the Lions' roster, though his status going forward is unclear. Neither Harrison nor his agent, Mitch Frankel, responded to messages seeking comment Thursday, and Harrison was listed with an "illness" on the Lions' injury report.
Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia reported that the tumor was discovered by an MRI after Harrison complained of recurring headaches to Eagles team physician Gary Dorshimer.
"It's unfortunate," said cornerback Eric Wright, who played with Harrison in Cleveland and said he learned about Harrison's condition from media reports. "Just pray for him and hope for the best. I know everything is going to turn out well for him. That's all we can do."
Best's situation isn't as critical.
He made a brief appearance in the Lions' locker room on Wednesday, though Morris said. Best hasn't been in meetings this week because "they kind of want him to stay away from the noise and lights, especially around here."
And Best's agent, Tony Fleming, said he wasn't aware of anyone advising Best to sit out the rest of the season.
"Definitely no truth to him being out for the year at this point," Fleming wrote in a text message. "He will continue to be evaluated on a weekly basis."
Despite Best's history of concussions, doctors not affiliated with him or the Lions say there's no reason to end the running back's season simply based on the number of head injuries he's had.
"Each time somebody gets a concussion, it's a new concussion," said Dr. Richard Figler, who runs the clinical care division of the concussion center at the Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Center. "Concussions themselves, if you treat them appropriately with the guidelines, everyone returns once they're 100% asymptomatic. There are no specific set guidelines that we have to say that two concussions in periods of a month or two months or three months means that someone should never play football again or is out for the season."
Added Dr. Jeffrey Kovan, the head primary care team physician at Michigan State: "We're all trying to make this major push that if you've had two concussions, three concussions, you should sit out a year, however long, maybe a career.
"And the reality (is) that was the old school, the way we did it, and even that was just based on opinion. There was never any science to support it."
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Best continues to follow the NFL's concussion protocols, which require clearance from an independent neurologist before he returns.
"Like we talked about before, it's not a situation you can tough out, and I think the NFL's been very proactive in what we're doing with concussions," Schwartz said. "We've had some players that have had them, some guys that have missed time and some guys that have gotten back, and I think we'll just take that same approach with Jahvid. As soon as he gets clearance he'll be back."
Will that be this year?
"Oh certainly," Linehan said. "I wouldn't see any other reason, unless anyone tells me otherwise."
