Ronnie Brown not at Lions practice

Despite having the playoffs within reach for the first time in what seems like ages, one of the Detroit Lions lingering issues has been the lack of a running game, which they've endured all season. Between injuries to Javid Best and Mikel LeShoure(notes), and the lack of production coming out of the backfield, they needed a change. That change came in the form of Ronnie Brown, who the Lions acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles on October 18.


Brown, who spent his first 6 years with Miami before moving to Philadelphia, comes to Detroit after the Eagles benched him for a fumble against San Francisco which ended Philadelphia's game-winning bid. His season total of 13 carries with the Eagles is far from the 1,000-yard season he had just 5-years ago. Detroit, however, saw Brown as an opportunity for mutual benefit.


With Javid Best's second concussion of the year laying the foundation for numerous questions on his health and longevity in the organization, acquiring Brown was something Detroit needed to do for insurance. With Jerome Harrison(notes) and Keiland Williams(notes) having achieved nothing in Best's absence, there was a definite need for someone who could be a workhorse, should Best be deemed unable to compete. Brown looks to prove he can be that guy.


Detroit gave up little in the way of compensation, having swapped Brown for Harrison and a seventh-round pick in 2013. Though he is nearing the of the running back lifespan, he is a strong runner who can go up the field when necessary. He may not have the speed of Best, but his power makes up for the lack thereof. Brown also has decent receiving ability, making him an immediate goal-line threat when combined with his power from the backfield.


The Lions also signed running back James Davis to the practice squad and released tight end Nathan Overbay. Davis worked out for the Lions on Tuesday.


Brown told the Free Press on Tuesday he expects to contribute in short-yardage and goal-line situations as soon as he gets acclimated to coordinator Scott Linehan’s offense. Linehan was the Miami Dolphins' offensive coordinator during Brown’s rookie season.


“I’m familiar with Jahvid and what he’s been able to do,” Brown said. “I think he’s a talented guy and look forward to working with him. And I just feel like there is an opportunity (to) be a part of something. They’re, obviously, on the right track, at 5-1, and I think they have tremendous goals. And I have the same type of goals for myself, so I feel like everything just worked out. We’ll see what happens.”


Tight end Tony Scheffler and linebacker Justin Durant also did not practice today because of concussions, though Durant, who has missed three straight games, tweeted Tuesday that he expects to play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.


Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (neck), receiver Rashied Davis (foot), safety Vince Fuller (elbow) and defensive backs Amari Spievey (hamstring), Aaron Berry (groin) and Chris Houston also missed practice.