After visiting the Detroit Lions on Thursday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was not influencing the Lions' decision to hold out Jahvid Best as the running back attempts to return from a concussion he suffered last October.
"It's a medical decision and medical people will make that decision," Goodell said, according to the Detroit News. "The medical care that our players get is extraordinary. Jahvid has seen a number of doctors outside the Lions' organization, neutral doctors, and they are all focused on his care and to make sure they make the best decision for Jahvid Best."
Best has not been cleared for contact since suffering a concussion, his second of the season, in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz said it could be some time before Best comes back to practice.
"The only thing I will say is we're measuring Jahvid in weeks, not days," Schwartz said, according to MLive.com. "He's not day-to-day."
Lions general manager Martin Mayhew expressed disappointment Wednesday that Best's return has been delayed.
A 2010 first-round draft pick by the Lions, Best ran 84 times for 390 yards and two touchdowns last year.