Jahvid Best Injury: Maurice Morris Will Give Fantasy Teams a Lift as a Flex Play

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best will be out against the Atlanta Falcons with a concussion. With Best on the sidelines, Maurice Morris would be a great flex option in fantasy football.

Finding a suitable replacement two hours before kickoff can be difficult for most leagues. However, there isn’t a more suitable replacement than a guy you know will get the majority of the carries. In that case, Morris should be the guy you grab in free agency, because who else will the Lions use?

Morris is in his 10th year in the National Football League—he’s experienced. He has rushed for 3,352 yards and 12 touchdowns on 796 attempts. Morris is averaging a solid 4.2 yards per carry in his career.

As a receiver, Morris has collected 130 passes, 988 yards and four touchdowns in 135 career games. However, since coming over from the Seattle Seahawks in 2009, Morris has grabbed at least 25 receptions in limited playing time.

Why? Because of the offensive style of the Lions. Detroit has thrown the ball 238 times compared to 149 rushing attempts in 2011.

Best has caught 27 passes through six games already. He is third on the team in receptions, behind Brandon Pettigrew (34) and Calvin Johnson (36). Best has been targeted 41 times in the passing game, equal to seven per game.

It’s the system that will allow Morris the opportunity to catch the ball out of the backfield.

Also, he has only lost three fumbles on 896 career NFL touches. His ball security is top-notch.

So if you want a guy who will carry the ball for the majority of the time, rush for 4.2 yards per carry, won’t turn the ball over and will benefit in the passing game because of offensive schemes, Morris would be your best option to grab before 1 p.m.