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.