Lions to place Jahvid Best on IR

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DETROIT -- Jahvid Best's season is over, leaving the Detroit Lions to try to piece together an effective running game without their leading rusher.

Best has been bothered by concussion problems and hasn't played since Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. After starting 5-0, Detroit has lost four of six, beginning with that game against the 49ers.

The team says the move is expected to become official next week.

"From the outset, we have been appropriately cautious and have followed all medical protocol with respect to Jahvid's injury," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Friday. "We look forward to his continued improvement and eventual return to the field."

Best's agent did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

Best also missed time during this preseason because of a concussion, and when he was a college player at California, he missed a few games after a fall knocked him out and sent him to the hospital with a concussion and sore back.

The Lions drafted Best in the first round in 2010. He ran for 555 yards as a rookie last season and caught 58 passes despite toe problems.

He started the first six games of this season, running for 390 yards on 84 carries. Schwartz said he started experiencing "concussion-like symptoms" after the loss to San Francisco.

The Lions are in the thick of the playoff race thanks to their impressive start, but they've lacked offensive balance at times. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson give Detroit a dangerous passing game, but it's been a difficult year for the backfield.

Best hasn't been able to stay healthy, and Jerome Harrison had surgery last month for a brain tumor. Rookie Mikel Leshoure tore his left Achilles tendon before the season even started.

Kevin Smith gave Detroit a boost, running for 140 yards last weekend in a win over Carolina, but Smith went down with a right ankle injury in Thursday's 27-15 loss to Green Bay.

Smith recovered from knee and thumb injuries the last two seasons, and he returned to the Lions earlier this month after being out of football.

Although Smith had to leave the game Thursday, the Lions got decent production from Maurice Morris, who gained 39 yards on only seven carries. But the Lions fell behind 24-0 in the second half and needed to throw.

"I've been playing with Kevin for three years now and we work well together. He'll do his thing and when he needs a blow, I'll go out there and try to keep things going on offense," Morris said after the game. "I'm always prepared to go in at any given time.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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