RB Best is 'week-to-week' for Lions; NFL won't get involved
The NFL will not get directly involved into the medical decision the Lions and independent doctors must make regarding Lions running back Jahvid Best.
Commissioner Roger Goodell visited the team facility Thursday and said "medical people will make that decision."
Best isn't yet cleared for contact and hasn't participated even in partial contact football drills since suffering his second concussion of the 2011 season last October.
Best, who suffered a concussion on a grotesque landing on his helmet and neck as a junior at California, has been widely seeking opinions from specialists.
Coach Jim Schwartz said Best isn't day-to-day and the timetable for his return is likely to be measured in "weeks, not days."
General manager Martin Mayhew voiced frustration and said he was disappointed Best isn't on the field yet, but understand the medical reasoning behind his absence.
The Lions are likely to turn to Mikel Leshoure and Kevin Smith until Best can get on the field. Leshoure, a second-round pick in 2011, missed last season with an Achilles injury and is suspended the first two games of the 2012 season.
