Sixteen months since Detroit running back Jahvid Best last suffered a concussion on the football field, the Lions remain unsure if he’ll ever be cleared to play again. But they sure would love to have him.
New Detroit running backs coach/run game coordinator Curtis Modkins was previously the Bills’ running backs coach, and Modkins said that when he watches tape of Best, the player he’s reminded of is Bills running back C.J. Spiller, who had a phenomenal season in Buffalo last year. Unfortunately, Modkins doesn’t know if he’ll ever get the opportunity to work with Best, as he worked with Spiller over the last three years.
“I don’t know what Jahvid’s situation is but it will be greatly needed to get some of that in this offense,” Modkins told DetroitLions.com. “I know watching from afar [Best] provided that for this offense and it’s very similar to what C.J. did for our offense in Buffalo. It would be great to have a guy that can do that.”
Best, who turned 24 two weeks ago, sat out the entire 2012 season after doctors repeatedly told him he hadn’t recovered from past concussions sufficiently to get back on the field. At this point, it feels like a long shot that Best will ever play football again. But the Lions aren’t ready to give up on the idea of having Best back in their offense -- and doing great things with the ball in his hands.