So with one second-year top-end tailback -- Steve Slaton of the Texans -- possibly losing his job to a veteran journeyman who had a career day in a key game, could another second-year budding star be losing his luster, too?
Don't count on it, yet.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz explains that, despite a sharing of touches on Sunday by Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris, Smith remains the top running back.
"I don't think that anything has changed from the fact of Kevin is our lead and Maurice is the complementary running back," Schwartz said, per Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
Schwartz said that the split in carries came from the fact that Smith dinged up his shoulder during the loss to the Rams.
Despite some big boasts before the season -- including a prediction of a playoff berth -- Smith has not played as well this year as he did during the otherwise forgettable 0-16 campaign of 2008.
Smith is averaging only 3.1 yards per carry this season, and he's on pace for fewer than 900 yards.
Maurice Morris not taking over yet in Detroit
Posted by Mike Florio on November 4, 2009 9:06 AM ET
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If Aaron brown would quit fumbling.. He would get a shot.. I think he looks good at times..
Slaton better stay the starter. He's been ballin in fantasy...except for last week where he got me -1 point. Thanks for taking him out, Kubiak!