Kevin Smith Injury: Lions RB Hopes To Play Against Saints

The Detroit Lions' running game is already shorthanded, but it got even thinner Sunday night as Kevin Smith left the Lions's game against the New Orleans Saints with an apparent ankle injury. Smith was originally injured during the Thanksgiving game against Green Bay and was questionable tonight, but he was trying to play before getting injured on this play:

Smith has been in and out of the lineup all season because of injuries, but had rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns in the last three weeks as an answer for the injured Jahvid Best.He could still return to tonight's game:

TAFOYA: They are taping up Kevin Smith's foot/ankle on the sideline... looks like they're trying to get him back in there - @SNFonNBC via Twitter

Because of the injury he only managed seven carries for 36 yards against Green Bay before leaving that contest. At the time he was knocked out on Sunday night he had 32 yards rushing, but he had scored Detroit's only touchdown of the game.

As of Friday, Lions running back Kevin Smith said he was expecting to play on Sunday night vs. the New Orleans Saints. Despite an ankle injury that he suffered on Thanksgiving, Smith practiced lightly on Thursday and again on Friday, indicating that he might be available for the Sunday Night Football game. 

Smith must not have had any setbacks in those light practices, because today a league source is corroborating Smith's expectation from Friday: 

If Smith can't go, the Lions will turn to Maurice Morris again to handle the workload. 

On Friday, Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith took some light practice work and plans to play Sunday, according to Dave Birkett. Smith says that he's on track and plans to be in the lineup against the New Orleans Saints, ten days after suffering an ankle sprain in the first quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. The post from Birkett has Smith saying that he's "one of the toughest people in the world," and credited his potential available with fast healing.

Smith practiced a little on Thursday as well, and worked out in front of the media, who were impressed with his quickness and mobility. All signs point to him being able to play on Sunday, and the Lions definitely need him. He was playing well against the Packers before going down with the injury, and the offense seemed to stall with him out. Starter Jahvid Best is on injured reserve with a concussion.

The Detroit Lions are preparing to play the New Orleans Saints this weekend on Sunday Night Football. Though they won't have the luxury of playing starting running back Jahvid Best -- who has been placed on the injured reserve -- the rest of the roster seems to be relatively healthy according to Thursday's injury report.

Kevin Smith didn't practice on Wednesday due to an injured ankle, but the starting running back was able to go through part of Thursday's practice. It seems he impressed reporters in individual drills, too, meaning there's a good chance he'll be able to play on Sunday.

Defense may be a problem, however, as three defensive backs were out due to injury on Thursday. Cornerbacks Chris Houston and Brandon McDonald, along with safety Louis Delmas, were all out due to injury. Defensive end Lawrence Jackson, dealing with a thigh injury, sat out practice again as well.

The full injury report is embedded below.

After not practicing at all on Wednesday, Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith gave some hope following practice, by saying he was able to do some work on his injured ankle following the practice session. Now, on Thursday, Smith took a big step towards returning by practicing with the team in front of the media. According to Dave Birkett, Smith took first-team snaps at running back.

He went through individual drills in front of reporters "without issue." The report says that he moved crisply and cut through a cone and bag drill. Smith was injured in last week's Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, and the extra rest following the game looks to be working in his favor. Being able to practice on Thursday shows that he might be ready to go on Sunday when the Lions take on the New Orleans Saints.

Smith had started off the game against the Packers very well, but the offense seemed to stall out at times when he went down in the first half.

The Kevin Smith injury diagnosis wasn't good initially when several outlets feared that the Detroit Lions running back had suffered a high ankle sprain during the Thanksgiving Day game against the Green Bay Packers. It appears, however, that the injury wasn't quite as bad as it originally seemed.

The top running back on the Lions depth chart, following the move that placed Jahvid Best on the injured reserve, was unable to practice on Tuesday. Smith did attend and sit on the sidelines, however, with his ankle wrapped.

That may not sound like the most encouraging news, but considering he doesn't need crutches and that it's only Tuesday, there still seems to be a chance that he could be available for this weekend's game against the New Orleans Saints.

Along with Smith, safety Louis Delmas and cornerbacks Chris Houston and Brandon McDonald  also sat out the rare Tuesday practice with injuries sustained in Thursday's game. The Lions didn't officially release an injury report as they are only required to do so for Wednesday through Friday when they play on Sundays.

The Detroit Lions were doing well against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, but when running back Kevin Smith went down with an injury, the offense stalled out and stopped gaining big yardage. Reports were that Smith had a high ankle sprain, and now we have a bit more information on it.

Per ProFootballTalk:

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Smith has a mild sprain.  He could be back next week, when the Lions face the Saints onSunday Night Football.    

That's much better news than the potential high ankle sprain. The latter would have likely kept Smith out for several weeks, with no chance of returning in nine days on Sunday. If the report is true, and Smith can return, it should be a very good thing for the Lions. Maurice Morris would be filling in as the starting back, with Keiland Williams being his immediate backup if Smith is unable to go. Jahvid Best has been placed on injured reserve, as of Friday.

At halftime of the Thanksgiving Day game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, Fox's Jimmy Johnson reported that running back Kevin Smith has a high ankle sprain. Johnson said he talked to the Lions' trainer, who reported that Smith's return is doubtful.

Smith has been out of the game since he pulled up lame on a reverse in the second quarter. He pitched the ball to Nate Burleson and immediately started limping. After trainers checked him out on the sideline, he was carted off to the locker room.

Smith returned to the sideline before halftime, but he had an ice pack on his ankle. That makes sense if he does indeed have a high ankle sprain, which usually takes a few weeks to recover from. Chances are his day is for sure done if that is the injury.

With Smith out, the Lions are going with Maurice Morris as the primary running back. He is not running as well as Smith was before the injury, though.

UPDATE: Smith has officially been ruled out of the game.