The Facts:
Following up on an
ongoing story,Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said running back Jahvid Best will undergo a battery of “return to play” concussion protocol tests this week to determine if he can come off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Best has not played since he suffered a concussion last October 16 in a game against the San Francisco 49ers. The third-year back is eligible to return to practice following the team’s Week 6 game against the Eagles on Sunday. He will need clearance from independent doctors to be removed from PUP. If he is cleared, Best would be able to play as soon as October 22. He would make his season debut on the national stage when the Lions travel to Chicago to take on the Bears on Monday Night Football.
Reported by DetroitLions.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
The Lions will have a 21-day window to activate Best off the PUP list once he is eligible. While Mikel Leshoure’s emergence is a positive for Detroit, the Lions would welcome the depth and dimension Best would bring to the backfield. We expect Leshoure and Best to split time, with Best taking on a Darren Sproles-like role in the Detroit offense. Kevin Smith and Joique Bell could also be in the mix for carries. Best was a top-10 fantasy running back through five games last year before a third concussion put a premature end to his 2011 season. While there is no guarantee that Best will be cleared after Week 6, we think he is worth a stash-and-hope flier ahead of many other running backs (Alex Green, James Starks, LaRod Stephens-Howling, William Powell, etc.) expected to be popular waiver wire adds this week. Best is a high-risk/high-reward pickup that could be a difference-maker for your fantasy team.
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