ALLEN PARK -- It looks like Lions rookie Amari Spievey will start at safety opposite Louis Delmas on Sunday vs. the Jets.

C.C. Brown, the usual suspect, did not practice today (Friday) and has not practiced all week after injuring his knee in Sunday’s win over the Redskins. Brown is not officially out for Sunday, but it’s unlikely he will play.

After Brown went out on Sunday, Spievey stepped in which gave the coaching staff the opportunity to see what he can do.

“We all believe he can do it there’s no doubt. ...’’ defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said.

Spievey doesn’t want to let the coaches down.

“I told him don’t worry about us, you worry about yourself that’s an example of how we’re dealing with all of them,’’ Cunningham said. “He went through hell with me, he was on my radar every day. He moves like Louis (Delmas) in the back end, he needs to get that confidence, I think it’s important for us to back him up and say everybody makes mistakes, don’t worry about it.’’

Also missing from practice was linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba who also injured his knee on Sunday. Ekejiuba said on Thursday that his knee was feeling better day to day.

Running back Kevin Smith (knee) was back at practice after sitting out on Thursday.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)