Jahvid Best's long, slow climb to medical clearance after a serious concussion in 2011 isn't done quite yet. He is expected to finally be cleared for contact in June.
"Those doctors felt like it just made sense to do that in June," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said Monday on WJR-AM, according to DetroitLions.com. "It gives him the most time. We are not doing anything that involves any contact and he's been cleared to do everything that we're doing right now and he'll be officially cleared for contact in June."
Best has a history of concussions and missed the last 11 games last season following a serious concussion. Once viewed as the solution to the Lions' backfield, Best now looks like a question mark. Detroit's 2011 second-round pick, Mikel Leshoure, who was arrested twice this offseason, also is hard to rely on. Kevin Smith, Keiland Williams and Joique Bell remain on the roster.
Detroit was the most pass-heavy team in the league last season. Considering all the question marks in the Lions' backfield, we fully expect them to lead the league in pass:run ratio again.
