News: The Bengals announced Friday that they have waived running back Aaron Brown, offensive guard Matt Murphy, quarterback Tyler Hansen and defensive lineman Luke Black.
Analysis: None of these players were expected to even make the roster, let alone make a Fantasy impact this season, so continue to ignore them in all formats.
News: The Bengals signed free agent running back Aaron Brown on Friday. Brown, a sixth-round draft choice by the Lions in 2009, played in 22 games with two starts for the Lions in his career.
Analysis: Brown has 44 rushes for 189 yards (4.3 avg.) and 18 receptions for 129 yards (7.2), with one receiving touchdown in his career. He will struggle to make the final roster and has minimal Fantasy value. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day.
News: The Lions signed RB Aaron Brown on Monday.
Analysis: This might not be a good sign for the status of RB Kevin Smith, who hurt his ankle Week 11. However, Brown will likely be low man on the totem pole, so don't add him in Fantasy just yet.
News: Detroit has released RB Aaron Brown on Sunday. Brown’s agent reported the move via his Twitter feed, saying Brown was released to make room for an unnamed wavier claim.
Analysis: Brown might catch on with a new team, but he will be a reserve RB at best. Ignore him in all leagues in 2011.
News: With Detroit RB Jahvid Best (head) out for Saturday's preseason game against New England, the Lions gave RB Aaron Brown the start in the backfield. He shared time with Jerome Harrison, but Brown had nine carries for 30 yards and caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. Harrison had eight carries for 24 yards and caught three passes for 51 yards. Maurice Morris (hand) also missed the game due to injury.
Analysis: Brown is now in the mix for the backup job to Best, especially since he got the start against the Patriots. We still consider Brown No. 4 on the depth chart behind Best, Morris and Harrison, but the Lions might give Brown a shot if Best goes down due to a serious injury. Keep Brown on your radar, but don't plan on drafting him in the majority of leagues.
News: RBs Jerome Harrison and Aaron Brown alternated reps as Detroit's second-team back Thursday behind starter Jahvid Best. With Maurice Morris (hand) still not in the mix, Harrison and Brown's chances to make the roster have improved. The odd man out in drills appears to be Mike Bell, who's now splitting backfield reps with WR/RB Stefan Logan.
Analysis: We still think Morris is the safest guy to pick in Fantasy drafts, albeit very late. Harrison has potential but we haven't seen it in preseason games. Brown has shown some moves in preseason games but has an ugly history in the pros. And remember, Morris is who will eventually take on the backup role behind Best. None of the guys are worth a late-round pick like Morris.
News: In a big surprise, Lions RB Aaron Brown wound up leading the team in carries with 13 in their Week 12 loss vs. the Patriots. He also had four catches. That's the good news -- the bad news is that Brown had 36 yards on 13 carries (a 2.8 yard avg.) and 29 yards on the four receptions. He didn't come down with half of the passes thrown his way from Hill, either. Brown saw extended playing time in tandem with Maurice Morris (who scored two 1-yard touchdowns) while rookie RB Jahvid Best rested his injured toes.
Analysis: Brown got a lot of work this week, but there's no guarantee that he'll get it again since Best's status is up in the air and the Lions are sure to give more work to Maurice Morris. Compounding matters is their next opponent: The Bears in Week 13. Brown is worth scouting and maybe spending a roster spot on in dynasty/keeper leagues, but definitely not starting.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown had a limited role in Sunday's game at Dallas in Week 11. Brown had one carry for 9 yards and caught two passes for 6 yards on two targets.
Analysis: Brown could see an increased role in Week 12 against New England on Thanksgiving Day with Jahvid Best continuing to struggle with the toe injury. Kevin Smith (thumb) is out for the year, and Maurice Morris is the only RB ahead of Brown on the depth start. Still, let's see how Brown does before adding him off the waiver wire. Don't start him in any leagues against the Patriots.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Lions RB Aaron Brown broke a bone in his hand in Week 3 against the Vikings, which could facilitate Kevin Smith's return. Brown could miss up to four weeks. The Lions will go into Week 4 against the Packers with three tailbacks, Jahvid Best (slowed by a turf toe injury), Smith and Maurice Morris.
Analysis: Brown has just three carries and five touches on offense in the first three games. He is merely backup depth to Best and isn't even a factor in Fantasy. Leave him off rosters.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown did not see any carries in Week 3 against the Vikings in Minnesota despite the fact that starter Jahvid Best left the game with a toe injury and did not play in the second half. Brown totaled 13 yards on three carries in Week 2 against the Eagles.
Analysis: Brown was used mostly in special teams in Week 3, but he could have an outside chance at some carries in Week 4 at Green Bay if Best is ruled out. We don't anticipate him making much of a Fantasy impact, however, so he can remain unowned in most leagues.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown totaled 13 yards on three carries in Week 2 against the Eagles. His longest carry went for 7 yards. He also had two catches for 10 yards. Brown had no touches in Week 1 against the Bears.
Analysis: Brown is battling for backup carries to Jahvid Best with Kevin Smith (knee) still working his way back to 100 percent. However, Best has been playing lights out and Brown isn't going to get many carries. Ignore him heading into Week 3 against the Vikings.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown has surged ahead in the battle for the third RB spot with his second-half performance Saturday against the Browns. Brown had five carries for 34 yards and two scores, and he also added one catch for 16 yards. Brown is reading defenses much better this season and has eliminated the mental errors that plagued him last year, and he has likely moved ahead of Maurice Morris for the role behind Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith. "It was probably his best complete game as a running back," Schwartz said. "I'd like to see him get a little bit more aggressive on some of his returns, but (he also) did a nice job in the passing game." Brown had four kickoff returns for 96 yards. Morris, meanwhile, had two carries for 4 yards and one catch for 5 yards. “I was out there on special teams – every little thing I was trying to get away from last year, I’m trying to show them I’m the kind of player they believed (me to be) last year," Brown said.
Analysis: Brown has looked good so far this preseason, but he has minimal Fantasy value coming into the year. Best is the best RB in Detroit, and Smith has made tremendous strides in his comeback from last year's knee injury. If either get hurt then Brown could have an increase in Fantasy value, but he should not be drafted in the majority of leagues in 2010.
News: According to mlive.com, Lions RB Aaron Brown will have to make the final roster as a return man, and he's not expected to see much time on offense. The report says that Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is nowhere near the point where he feels he can trust Brown in the offense because Brown simply makes too many mental mistakes.
Analysis: Even with the Lions dealing with injuries at RB (Kevin Smith) and planning to go with a rookie in Jahvid Best, it's clear Brown is not part of their plans. Ignore him in all leagues on Draft Day.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown possesses speed, but it may not be enough to secure a roster spot come September. Head coach Jim Schwartz was not pleased with his performance during the minicamp workout. "He's had some inconsistency," Schwartz said. "He really needs to pick it up a little bit."
Analysis: With Jahvid Best added this offseason to a running back corps that includes Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris, Brown's playing time was going to be hard to come by anyway. Keep him off of Fantasy rosters at this moment.
News: With the Lions' drafting Cal RB Jahvid Best, it is believed that second-year scatback Aaron Brown will be stuck battling for a reserve role on offense and special teams. Brown wound up with 131 yards on 27 carries (4.9 avg.) with 84 yards on nine catches (9.3 avg.), including a touchdown grab.
Analysis: Brown won't see much playing time in Detroit now that he's behind at least two backs on paper, so keep him out of your Fantasy plans. If he regains some regular reps, he'd be a consideration as a one-week replacement option.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown ran three times for 21 yards and caught three passes for 19 yards in a Week 17 loss to Chicago.
Analysis: Brown didn't do much of anything in his rookie season, and will likely be the No. 3 option again for the Lions in 2010 unless he can somehow beat out Maurice Morris for the backup spot. He should go undrafted this summer.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown had one carry for 1 yard on Sunday in a Week 16 loss at San Francisco.
Analysis: Brown is not seeing an increase in touches even though Kevin Smith is done for the season. He is not worth having active Week 17 against Chicago.
News: In the Lions' Week 15 loss vs. the Cardinals, RB Aaron Brown rushed for 9 yards on two carries.
Analysis: He typically doesn't post enough stats to warrant Fantasy use. Do not consider him for his next matchup at San Francisco in Week 16 unless you're absolutely desperate for help.
News: Lions head coach Jim Schwartz confirmed Monday that RB Kevin Smith will have season-ending knee surgery after tearing at least one ligament at Baltimore in Week 14. Maurice Morris took his reps following the injury and is expected to split reps with rookie Aaron Brown going forward.
Analysis: Morris and Brown aren't worth starting and are barely worth owning in Fantasy play. Morris is expected to be slightly more valuable because he'll see more work, but with a stiff matchup vs. the Cardinals in Week 15 neither guy should be counted on. They may not put up decent stats until Week 17 at Chicago.
News: MLive.com reports that Detroit RB Kevin Smith, who suffered a left knee injury week 14 against the Ravens, will miss the rest of the season and could be a question mark going into training camp in 2010. Coach Jim Schwartz termed the injury "significant". If there is ligament damage, the surgery smith would be required to have would likely have him start next year's training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Smith carried the ball 22 times for 69 yards and caught two passes for 19 yards. Aaron Brown and Maurice Morris replaced Smith when he was injured. Morris finished the game with three carries for 11 yards and two receptions for 9 yards. Brown had one carry for 12 yards.
Analysis: Smith injured himself after catching a pass then making a move on a defender. He went down immediately and had to be carted off the field. "I tried to stop-and-start and got my foot stuck in the field," Smith said, adding that he never felt pain like that before. "Never in my life." Smith can be but in all seasonal formats and should only be held on to in long-term dynasty leagues. Morris and Brown can be picked up but we think that the veteran Morris will get more of the touches. Smith's draft status in 2010 will also be affected by how long this injury keeps him out for.
News:Aaron Brown, Dan Gronkowski and Derrick Williams all failed to record a stat Week 13 against the Bengals.
Analysis: None of these players are worth having active in any Fantasy format and can continue to be ignored for Week 14 at Baltimore.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving vs. the Packers, Lions RB Aaron Brown had one carry for 5 yards.
Analysis: Brown doesn't produce enough stats to warrant use in Fantasy. Keep him off of standard rosters. The Lions play at the Bengals in Week 13.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving vs. the Packers, Lions RB Aaron Brown had one carry for 5 yards.
Analysis: Brown doesn't produce enough stats to warrant use in Fantasy. Keep him off of standard rosters. The Lions play at the Bengals in Week 13.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown made one reception on Sunday against the Browns but he made it count, scoring a 26-yard touchdown. It was one of five TD passes thrown by Matthew Stafford in the game.
Analysis: Brown does not contribute enough on a consistent basis to be active in most Fantasy formats for Week 12 against Green Bay on Thanksgiving. In Week 6 at Green Bay, Brown had two carries for 13 yards.
News: The Lions have listed the following players as inactive for Week 10 at Minnesota: LB Ernie Sims (hamstring), CB Anthony Henry, DE Cliff Avril, DT Landon Cohen, RB Aaron Brown and QB Drew Stanton (third QB).
Analysis: Sims, Avril and Henry have some IDP value in deeper leagues, so be sure to bench them for Week 10. All the other guys are not worth worrying about in Fantasy play.
News: Detroit RB Aaron Brown got four carries in a Week 9 loss to the Seahawks. He gained 27 yards on the four carries with a long of 19 yards.
Analysis: Brown set a personal best in yardage Week 9, which isn't saying too much. He is not a relevant Fantasy player and can be held out of all formats for Week 10 against the Vikings.
News: Detroit RB Aaron Brown touched the ball four times on Sunday in a Week 8 loss to the Rams. Brown carried the ball twice in the game for a total of 15 yards. He also caught two passes for 13 total yards.
Analysis: Brown does not typically due too much offensively for the Lions but got a few more touches in Week 8 when Kevin Smith went down with injury. He is not a recommended option in any format for Week 9 at Seattle.
News: Detroit RB Aaron Brown carried the ball two times on Sunday in the team's Week 6 loss at Green Bay. He gained a total of 13 yards in the game.
Analysis: Brown did not record a stat in Week 5 and only got two carries against the Packers in a blowout loss. He is not a relevant Fantasy player and can continue to be ignored in all formats unless Kevin Smith gets injured.
News:Drew Stanton and Aaron Brown were the only two Lions players not to record an offensive statistic in Week 5 against Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Neither player is going to be in line for Fantasy value this season. Leave them on waivers in all leagues until further notice.
News: Lions backup RB Aaron Brown had one carry for 3 yards and one catch for 14 yards Sunday at Chicago. Brown didn't get much time with Kevin Smith (shoulder) healthy for this game.
Analysis: Brown is a backup RB with Maurice Morris behind Smith. Brown has minimal Fantasy value as long as Smith is healthy. Ignore Brown in all leagues for Week 5 against the Steelers.
News: With Kevin Smith vowing to play for the Lions after practicing for the second straight day on Friday, backup running backs Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown are now expected to resume their backup duties behind him.
Analysis: Morris and Brown might see one or two more touches each to help take some extra carries off of Smith, but consider both running backs unlikely to help Fantasy owners much in Week 4.
News: Lions head coach Jim Schwartz told the Chicago media on Wednesday that RB Kevin Smith will be a game-time decision for their Week 4 matchup against the Bears. Smith hurt his shoulder in the second half of last week's win over the Redskins. He had rushed for 101 yards before getting hurt. Maurice Morris took the first-team reps in his place and would likely see the bulk of the carries with rookie Aaron Brown if Smith missed the game. "We will just see how that plays out this week and see what we can get out of him and make a game-time decision on whether he can go or not," Schwartz said of Smith, according to the Chicago Tribune. "But Kevin is really important. We have a dynamic playmaker in Calvin Johnson who can get open downfield, but that is largely dependent on how we run the football and Kevin is a big part of that."
Analysis: If Smith remains a game-time call this week, we're going to have to wait until Sunday morning to get the official word on Smith's status. That will require owners to get the word first from Fantasy Football Today, 11 a.m. ET here on CBSSports.com. If you own Smith and are counting on him, now is the time to go and get Maurice Morris off waivers just in case he ends up starting. Aaron Brown would be no better than a low-end desperation addition. We will keep you posted on Smith's status throughout the week.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown rushed five times late in Week 3's win over the Redskins for 6 yards. Brown also caught one pass for 9 yards.
Analysis: Brown has 10 carries on the season for 25 yards and was overlooked for Maurice Morris when Kevin Smith got hurt. Brown is not a recommended Fantasy option Week 4 at Chicago, whether or not Smith is healthy.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown had four carries for 10 yards during a Week 2 loss to the Vikings. His longest gainer went for seven yards. He also had one catch for three yards. Brown has five carries for 19 yards in two games.
Analysis: Although the rookie from TCU is third on the depth chart, he has seen more touches the first two weeks than backup Mo Morris. Still, Brown is only going to get a few touches per game and that's not enough to factor in Fantasy. It's safe to ignore him heading into Week 3 against the Redskins.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown carried once for nine yards in Week 1 at New Orleans. Jerome Felton carried twice for a total of four yards.
Analysis: Kevin Smith remains the team's primary running back and we don't recommend owning Brown or Felton in any league at the moment. Leave them both on the waiver wire.
News: The battle for the No. 3 RB spot in Detroit behind RB Kevin Smith and RB Maurice Morris in Lions camp may come down to who is more valuable on special teams - RB Aveion Cason or RB Aaron Brown. Cason will begin the game as KR.
Analysis: Brown has more upside for the Lions, but he might not play right away. The safe bet with Cason and Brown in seasonal leagues is to ignore both on Draft Day.
News: Detroit Lions running back Aaron Brown did his best to share the stage with quarterback Matthew Stafford in their professional debuts. Brown showed he has enough talent to make plays in the NFL with a 32-yard run for a touchdown and a 45-yard reception for a TD, helping Detroit beat the Atlanta Falcons in an exhibition game. But two days later, coach Jim Schwartz was quick to put the breaks on the Brown-related hype. "Let's not put him in the Hall of Fame yet for what he did in the preseason," Schwartz said. "But he did show some speed, he showed some exciting ability, but long way to go."
Analysis: Brown's breakout game was flawed by three mental mistakes, each of which led to penalties and that probably stood out to coaches more than the positives. Brown could have some value if Kevin Smith or Maurice Morris gets hurt, but otherwise you can avoid him in seasonal leagues. Brown is worth a late-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
News: Lions RB Aaron Brown is playing well early in training camp. "His speed is the first thing that flashes," Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said Tuesday. "He's always looking for that big play." Brown will likely be competing with veteran Aveion Cason and undrafted rookie free agent Antone Smith for the No. 3 RB job.
Analysis: Brown could have some value if Kevin Smith or Maurice Morris gets hurt, but otherwise you can avoid him in seasonal leagues. Brown is worth a late-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
News: According to the Detroit News, the Lions agreed to terms with rookie RB Aaron Brown to a three-year contract Friday. Brown, a sixth-round selection (192nd overall pick), will have to earn a spot on the roster. He'll likely be competing with veteran Aveion Cason and undrafted rookie free agent Antone Smith for the No. 3 RB job.
Analysis: Brown could have some value if Kevin Smith or Maurice Morris gets hurt, but otherwise you can avoid him in seasonal leagues. Brown is worth a late-round pick in rookie-only drafts.
News: The Lions took TCU RB Aaron Brown with a selection in the 2009 draft. Brown amassed 2,596 rush yards and 857 receiving yards with 26 total touchdowns (20 rushing, five receiving, one kickoff return) over four years.
Analysis: Brown is quick and has some good speed but has run upright, run with limited acceleration and has a thin lower body. The Lions might utilize him on kickoffs and otherwise keep him on the roster as a reserve running back behind Kevin Smith. Save for a smashing preseason, Brown won't be worth a look in seasonal Fantasy play. He is worth a late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a mid-round choice in rookie-only drafts.
