Jahvid Best: Detroit Lions RB Will Spend Rest of Year on Injured Reserve

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best will be kept on IR and the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, effectively ending his season. Best had hoped to come back to play in 2012, but it’s not going to happen for the third-year back out of California.

Best has been recovering after suffering not one, but two concussions in 2011. He hasn’t played a down for the Lions in 2012, although there was quite a bit of optimism that he would be able to return at some point during this season.

Lions GM Martin Mayhew made the announcement on Friday afternoon:

"

As has been the case throughout, we have deferred to the medical experts and support their current recommendation that Jahvid not return to the field this season. Javhid’s approach to this situation and his adherence to the process and protocol have been exemplary. No one has worked harder or shown more dedication than Jahvid has over the past year. As disappointing as this decision is for us and Jahvid, we do believe it is in his long-term best interest.

"

This is certainly a blow to the Lions, who have begun to turn things around and definitely could have used the services of the dynamic Best in their backfield.

However, player safety and concerns for Best’s future are obviously more important factors when making a decision of this magnitude. Mayhew and his staff were absolutely right to defer to the medical staff on this call.

It’s also a sign that the new emphasis on concussions and player safety is beginning to take hold throughout a league that commonly used to rush players back into harm’s way too soon.

For Best, there is a possibility that this setback could mean trouble for his future as an NFL football player.

He’s suffered three concussions now, including a very damaging one his senior season at California.

You remember that scary leap. How could you forget?

Whether or not Best has played his last down of football remains a mystery. It doesn’t surprise anyone, though, that he’s being protected due to the vicious hits in his history and the lasting effects they can have on players.