Maurice

Morris

It’s not expected to be serious. We’ll let you know if it is.

Seattle is thin with Shaun Alexander also banged-up. Alexander is supposed to return Sunday.

Morris missed 10 days with a sore hamstring.

With RB Shaun Alexander struggling, Morris actually had Seattle’s longest run with a 16-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.

Birkett expects Ronnie Brown to be active if Best sits out, but it may take him a week or two to carve out a more substantial role. Birkett also believes Brown will only have a major impact this year if Best’s concussion issues are worse than the Lions have let on. “Jahvid’s still the guy,” says Birkett.

The majority of the fourth-quarter work went to Maurice Morris, but Schwartz said that was just part of the game plan. We’re not buying that, but there’s no reason to buy into unsubstantiated internet reports that Best is headed to injured reserve either. Per beat writer Dave Birkett, this Sunday is a question mark but there is no talk of putting Best on IR. The Lions have the Week 9 bye to work around as Best goes through the NFL’s concussion protocol. “There is a concern because it’s the second one,” Schwartz said. “But it doesn’t change the process for him to be cleared.”

Here’s the touch count for the last three games: Keiland Williams eight, Morris six, Jerome Harrison zero. In fact, Harrison wasn’t even active for last week’s game against the Niners. Morris is 32 and a true backup, but this Lions regime has shown faith in him before. With Best hobbled over the final eight games of last season, Morris averaged 9.8 carries for 40.7 yards and 2.2 catches for 14.5 yards to go with five touchdowns. Harrison would likely be mixed in as a change-of-pace back and Williams will continue to serve as the short-yardage specialist.

So one day after being sent to the Lions for Harrison and a 2013 seventh-round pick, Brown will remain an Eagle while Harrison stays in Detroit. It’s a blow for the Lions, who were seeking a bigger back than Harrison to fill in while Jahvid Best is sidelined with a concussion. Brown now goes back to waiver-wire fodder in fantasy leagues, while it’s unclear whom might fill in for Best this weekend. Keiland Williams and Maurice Morris shared first-team practice reps Wednesday. Harrison was a (supposedly) healthy scratch in Week 6.

He missed a day with a bruised thigh.

We hope everyone got him out of their lineup by game-time.