Free agent RB Maurice Morris is not expected back in Detroit in 2012.

The Lions would rather re-sign Kevin Smith as insurance for Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best. In addition to Morris, the Lions are also expected to move on from LB Bobby Carpenter, safeties Erik Coleman and Chris Harris, CB Brandon McDonald, WR Maurice Stovall, and OG Leonard Davis.

Maurice Morris rushed five times for 22 yards in Detroit's Week 16 win over the Chargers, adding one catch for 10 yards.

After being held without a touch in Week 15, Morris only managed to get on the field after Kevin Smith missed a large chunk of the third quarter with an apparent aggravation of his ankle injury. A weak link in the Lions' well-oiled offense, Morris should see extremely limited snaps in the playoffs as long as Smith is able to stay on the field.

Playing through a chest injury, Maurice Morris rushed four times for 13 yards and added one catch for three yards in the Lions' Week 14 win over the Vikings.

Morris played extremely sparingly after sustaining his injury, allowing Keiland Williams to function as the feature back. But the fact that he was permitted to return to the game at all bodes well for his Week 15 status. We'll know more by Wednesday.

Maurice Morris left Sunday's game against the Vikings in the second quarter with a right arm injury.

Morris was on the sidelines at the end of the first half with no helmet. His return is questionable. Plodding power back Keiland Williams has come on. Morris had just nine yards on three carries and one catch for three yards before leaving.

Maurice Morris rushed 12 times for 28 yards in Sunday's loss to the Lions, adding five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.

A typically plodding night for Morris on the ground, who was called on to handle the Lions' rushing load after Kevin Smith aggravated his ankle injury early in the second half. The solid receiving performance was his second straight, however, building on his nine-catch, 81-yard effort against the Packers on Thanksgiving. With Smith initially sounding unlikely to suit up in Week 14, Morris is worth a flier if you're hurting at running back.

Maurice Morris will start next Sunday's game against the Saints if Kevin Smith (ankle) can't go.

The Detroit Free Press and other outlets are referring to Smith's injury as a "high ankle sprain," but it's unclear if that's an accurate assessment. Smith is still considered questionable for Week 13. Morris started four games earlier this year, averaging 9.7 carries for 45.2 yards with one touchdown and adding a total of five catches for 34 yards. The plodder would be a low-upside PPR plug-n-play if Smith sits this week.

Maurice Morris rushed seven times for 39 yards and added nine catches for 81 yards in Thursday's loss to the Packers.

After Kevin Smith went down with an ankle injury at the end of the first quarter, the Lions turned to Morris as their feature back. The Packers gave up check down after check down underneath, leading to a monster PPR day for Morris. Although Morris can't make anyone miss, he's the best the Lions have left. Smith is rumored to have a high-ankle sprain and Jahvid Best (concussions) isn't close to return. PPR owners need to make the add here.

Maurice Morris rushed seven times for 29 yards and added one reception for eight yards against the Panthers in Week 11.

The matchup was right, but Morris found himself on the sidelines for the majority of the final three quarters after Kevin Smith emerged as a more dangerous threat on the ground and in the passing game. Morris can be dropped in all formats now that Smith has passed him on the depth chart.

Maurice Morris rushed 10 times for 44 yards and caught a six-yard pass in the Lions' Week 10 loss to Chicago.

Kevin Smith (4-19, 2-10) replaced Keiland Williams (1-1) as the Lions' No. 2 back on Sunday. Morris should continue to flirt with 11-15 touches per game as long as Jahvid Best (concussions) remains out, but he offers a very low ceiling as a pedestrian, 32-year-old running back. He'll be worth low-end flex consideration only when the Lions face the Panthers in Week 11.

Maurice Morris rushed nine times for 50 yards and added two catches for 13 yards against the Falcons in Week 7.

Half of his production came on a 31-yard third-quarter run to set up a field goal. Morris started and handled feature-back duties in the first quarter before giving way to Keiland Williams in the second quarter. The two backs rotated the rest of the way. Just a flex option if Jahvid Best (concussion) remains out, Morris gets a surprisingly stout Broncos run defense in Week 7.

Lions OC Scott Linehand confirmed that Maurice Morris will start at tailback against the Falcons this week.

"The thing I'm excited about whenever you called on Maurice he stepped up to the plate and performed,' Linehan said. "He's ... back to his form of end of last year. ... You know what you're getting with Mo I'm looking forward to seeing him take the reins." Keiland Williams could be worked in as the short-yardage back against a Falcons defense allowing the 17th-most fantasy points to opposing backs.

Maurice Morris remains the likely starter in Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press believes Maurice Morris has still "got to be the guy" at tailback this week if Jahvid Best (concussion) can't play.

Birkett expects Ronnie Brown to be active if Best sits out, but it may take him a week or two to carve out a more substantial role. Birkett also believes Brown will only have a major impact this year if Best's concussion issues are worse than the Lions have let on. "Jahvid's still the guy," says Birkett.

Beat writer Dave Birkett confirms that Maurice Morris would be the first in line for carries if Jahvid Best (concussion) misses time.

Lions RB Maurice Morris (hand) is listed as probable for Week 1.

We apologize for a report passed along earlier in the week that stated Morris wouldn't play. The probable tag means Morris is "virtually certain" to be active against the Bucs, and he's slated to serve as Jahvid Best's primary backup.

Maurice Morris (hand) will enter the season as the Lions' No. 2 running back.

Jerome Harrison has a higher upside as a runner, but the Lions prefer Morris' versatility and pass protection skills. Harrison will be third on the depth chart this week with Keiland Williams expected to be inactive.

Maurice Morris (hand) was a full participant again in Thursday's practice.

One Thursday morning report had Morris unlikely to play against the Bucs, but that invites skepticism. It would be out of the ordinary for a player practicing fully to sit out on Sunday. Morris may well be behind Jerome Harrison for the No. 2 job after missing training camp.

Maurice Morris (fractured hand) is not expected to be available for Week 1 against the Buccaneers.

Morris has resumed practicing, but not in team drills in pads. Jerome Harrison will open the season as the Lions' No. 2 back behind Jahvid Best. Keiland Williams is currently pushing Harrison for playing time in the backfield.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press considers Maurice Morris the "2" to Jerome Harrison's "2b" in the Lions' backfield.

Birkett watches the team practice daily, so he has a good handle on the running back pecking order. Should Jahvid Best go down during the year, Morris and Harrison would likely form a rotation, leaving Best without a great handcuff. Morris is better in the passing game than Harrison, particularly in blitz pickup.

Maurice Morris still has a cast on his fractured hand, but is considered a lock to make the final roster.

Morris is expected to get the cast off shortly and return to a full practice. He's in a battle for the No. 2 running back job with Aaron Brown and Jerome Harrison, but there likely won't be a clear handcuff to Jahvid Best this season. If Best were to go down, the Lions would likely lean turn to a committee.