Jahvid Best injury: Doctors won't clear Lions RB to play at this time

Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best will not be permitted to return to the playing field indefinitely, as the team announced on Monday. Best has been monitored all year by the team after suffering a pair of concussions last season, but a firm timetable for his return has never been set.

As Lions general manager Martin Mayhew explained in a press release, the decision is being made with Best's long-term health in mind:

After today's consultation with medical experts, including representatives from our medical and training staffs, it has been determined that Jahvid will not be permitted to return to play at this time... Throughout this entire process we always have placed the highest priority on what is best for Jahvid from a health and safety standpoint.

While the Lions technically still have a three-week window to activate Best from the PUP list before he'll be forced to go on injured reserve, it appears that Detroit plans to shut down Best for the rest of the season.

Not too long ago, there was optimism that Best would be able to return soon, but it appears that doctors are concerned about the lack of progress that he's made in recovering from multiple serious head injuries. Given the efforts around the league to improve the handling of these kinds of injuries, the Lions are exercising serious caution here.

A first round pick out of California in 2010, Best will now have appeared in just 22 games during his first three NFL seasons.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.