Aaron

Brown

The former sixth-round pick will join Clinton Portis in Nashville for the tryout. Tennessee is healthy in the backfield, so this looks like a workout to update the team’s “emergency list.”

Brown, 26, knows OC Scott Linehan’s offense after spending camp and last season with Detroit. He’s a faster, quicker option than Maurice Morris, but the Lions have leaned toward the veteran over Brown in the past. It’s possible Brown is only being signed as an emergency back until Kevin Smith (ankle) returns.

Brown saw just one carry for zero yards since being signed a month ago. The Lions will go with Joique Bell, who has a better chance of sticking on the roster in 2012.

It’s an offseason depth signing. Brown, 26, has appeared in 22 games since being a sixth-round pick out of TCU in 2009. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound scatback type has 189 career yards on 45 carries (4.20 YPC), plus 18 receptions. Brown would do well to earn a third- or fourth-string role in Cincinnati.

The Bengals also placed five players on injured reserve and are down to 76 players on their roster, needing to get down to 75 by Monday. Brown, 27 in October, struggled to the tune of nine yards on 15 preseason touches. Black and Hansen were undrafted rookie free agents. Murphy is a 23-year-old journeyman.

The Eagles are likely just building their emergency list at running back. Former Panthers second-round DE Everette Brown was also in for a workout.

The Broncos are likely just updating their emergency list. If Knowshon Moreno goes down, Brown would be an option on passing downs. Denver also worked out DBs David Jones and Trevard Lindley.

Brown missed three weeks to start 2008 due to suspension and never had more than 15 carries in a game. He was one of the draft’s top kick return prospects, however, and caught 91 passes in his career. Brown won’t threaten Kevin Smith’s job, but could develop into a third-down back with return value.

This goes against GM Martin Mayhew’s prediction that Brown “has a good chance” to make the team. Mayhew suggested that Brown could be a third-down back and kick returner, but Kowalski expects the rookie to be used almost strictly on special teams.

A scatback out of Texas Christian, Brown reportedly showed explosiveness in spring practices. He could have a future as a third-down back and special teamer if he can beat out pedestrian holdover Aveion Cason this summer.