 Best will "definitely" be back in 2012 -- Mon Jan 9 6:15 pm --
RB claims to be free after multiple concussions |
Jahvid Best said he's symptom free and will "definitely" be back playing next year. (Dave Birkett on Twitter)
FF Today's Take: Best's return is good news for him and the Detroit Lions, but it will be interesting to see how much has role has changed when he does come back to the field. In his absence, Kevin Smith has staked his claim for some touches and the team hopes that Mikel Leshoure remains on track to return from his Achilles' injury. Best possesses the best speed of the bunch, but lacks the power of the other two.
|
 |
Lions RB Smith collides with teammate -- Wed Jan 4 12:20 pm --
RB shaken up at practice, no word on possible injury |
ALLEN PARK — Kevin Smith and Tony Scheffler had a big collision during Detroit Lions practice, leaving the running back shaken up and slow to get up.
The 6-foot-1, 217-pound running back and 6-feet-5, 255-pound tight end were each running routes with their position groups when their paths crossed. Smith, who has been dealing with a high ankle sprain for several weeks, immediately went down.
(mlive.com)
FF Today's Take: Kevin Smith's injury history makes any 'big collision' a potential disaster for the Lions. The Lions haven't had much success running the football, but Smith can be useful in PPR playoff leagues. Smith has caught a touchdown pass in each of the last two games.
|
|
Kevin Smith may rest in season finale -- Mon Dec 26 9:45 pm --
Lions add RB Joique Bell |
Adding Joique Bell could mean the Lions will rest starter Kevin Smith on Sunday. Smith is still dealing with a high ankle sprain that has limited his explosiveness since he had 201 yards of offensive, including 140 rushing yards and three touchdowns, against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 20. (Detroit Free Press)
FF Today's Take: The Lions have locked up a playoff spot, so it's quite likely they have already determined a healthier Smith is more important than solidifying the No. 5 seed. Expect a full-blown committee attack with Maurice Morris, Keiland Williams and Bell against the Packers.
|
|
Kevin Smith expected to play -- Fri Dec 16 2:35 pm --
Lions RB practices for third straight day |
Running back Kevin Smith (ankle) and cornerback Chris Houston (knee) practiced for the third straight day and are expected to start Sunday. (Detroit News)
FF Today's Take: Things are looking up for Smith who sat out with an ankle injury in Week 14. He's a good flex option this week with a plus matchup against the Raiders
|
|
Kevin Smith limited in practice -- Thu Dec 15 8:23 pm --
Lions RB still hopes to play this week |
Kevin Smith (ankle) was limited in his return to practice on Thursday.
(Anwar Richardson on Twitter)
FF Today's Take: The fact that Smith practiced at all is certainly a positive sign. Coordinator Scott Linehan is confident that Smith will play against the Raiders. "He's making progress," said Linehan. "... We're very positive about him being ready to go." Smith is a top-20 fantasy option against a Raiders defense that allowed Ryan Grant's best game of the season last week.
|
|
Kevin Smith misses practice Wednesday -- Wed Dec 14 5:45 pm --
Lions' RB dealing with sprained ankle |
Running back Kevin Smith went through stretching, then left to work with trainers on the side. (Detroit Free Press)
FF Today's Take: Tomorrow's practice report will give us a better idea of Smith's availability this week. It's likely he will be listed as Questionable on the injury report.
|
|
RB Kevin Smith inactive -- Sun Dec 11 12:05 pm --
Maurice Morris will start |
The Detroit Lions have de-activiated running back Kevin Smith. (ESPN)
FF Today's Take: Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams will handle the majority if rushing duties for Detroit against the Vikings.
|
|
Kevin Smith leaves practice early -- Fri Dec 9 11:30 am --
Can't cut on injured ankle |
Kevin Smith just tried to run a route out of the backfield, can't cut. Pulled out of the drill. (Dave Birkett via Twitter)
FF Today's Take: At this point, the chances of Smith being active Sunday are very slim. Expect Maurice Morris to start for the Lions with Keiland Williams playing in a backup role.
|
|
Kevin Smith questionable -- Thu Dec 8 7:40 pm --
Lions RB hopes to practice Friday |
Kevin Smith (ankle) "hopes" to practice on Friday.
(Dave Birkett on Twitter)
FF Today's Take: Smith`s availability will depend on his ability/inability to practice Friday. Keep tabs on this situation - he or Maurice Morris have a good matchup this week against the Minnesota Vikings.
|
|
Lions RB Smith held out of practice -- Wed Dec 7 12:22 pm --
Ankle |
Allen Park — The injury situation doesn't seem to be any more hopeful for the Lions. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley (foot), cornerback Chris Houston (knee) and running back Kevin Smith (ankle) — all starters — were all held out of practice Wednesday.
(Detroit News)
FF Today's Take: As expected, RB Kevin Smith did not practice after re-aggrevating his ankle injury in week 13. Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams will shoulder the load for the Lions if Smith is sidelined for the game. Morris would be a decent RB3 or flex option if Smith doesn't suit up.
|
|
Kevin Smith active, will start -- Sun Dec 4 7:15 pm --
Lions' Smith back from ankle injury |
Kevin Smith will start at running back 10 days after he sprained his ankle against the Packers. (Detroit Free Press)
FF Today's Take: Smith will be a decent RB2 especially in PPR leagues in what should be a high-scoring game with the Saints.
|
|
Kevin Smith likely to play Sunday -- Fri Dec 2 6:40 pm --
Lions RB practices for second straight day |
Finally, some good news for the Detroit Lions. Running back Kevin Smith practiced for the second straight day on Friday and sounds optimistic he'll return from an ankle injury against the New Orleans Saints. “I think (Thursday) was the day that I did a pretty good workload,” Smith told the team's official website. “I had a lot of reps yesterday and wasn’t sore after that. I mean it was sore but not how you would expect after working out. (NFL.com)
FF Today's Take: Notoriously inconsistent and coming off a recent ankle injury, Kevin Smith makes for an incredibly risky start this week.
|
|
Kevin Smith takes first team reps -- Thu Dec 1 1:40 pm --
Detroit RB recovering from sprained ankle |
Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith took a big step toward returning from his high ankle sprain for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, practicing today and working first in the backfield rotation. Smith, who injured his right ankle in the Lions' Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, went through individual drills in front of reporters without issue. He's not 100% but was able to move crisply and cut through a cone-and-bag drill. (Detroit Free Press)
FF Today's Take: It sounds like Smith is on track to play barring any setbacks the remainder of the week. At less than 100%, it's likely that Smith would share time with Maurice Morris in the backfield.
|
|
Kevin Smith back at practice -- Wed Nov 30 12:01 pm --
Ankle |
ALLEN PARK — Detroit running back Kevin Smith was back at practice on Wednesday morning after leaving the Thanksgiving Day game against Green Bay in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Smith, who gained 201 yards and scored three touchdowns against Carolina the week prior to the Packers game, took part in stretches and some individual drills, but left the field before those drills ended. (mlive.com)
FF Today's Take: The good news for owners who scooped up Kevin Smith is that the injury doesn't appear to be serious. The bad news is that Smith's status for week 13 is still very much in question. Although he was able to attend practice, he was limited to individual drills. If Smith continues to be limited in practice Maurice Morris would see significant playing time against the Saints on Sunday night.
|
|
Kevin Smith misses practice Tuesday -- Tue Nov 29 6:30 pm --
Lions RB looking less likely to suit up this weekend |
Kevin Smith (ankle) was held out of Lions practice on Tuesday.
(Dave Birkett on Twitter)
FF Today's Take: There is still an outside chance that Smith may be able to play this week but his absence from practice Tuesday speaks volumes. Check the Thursday and Friday practice reports but expect Maurice Morris to start at RB for the Lions.
|
|
Kevin Smith has high ankle sprain -- Thu Nov 24 7:15 pm --
Lions RB's afternoon cut short on Thanksgiving |
Kevin Smith sustained a high ankle sprain in the first half of Thursday's game. (Adam Caplan on Twitter)
FF Today's Take: It's too bad for Smith who re-emerged last week and was having a good afternoon on Thursday. The injury typically requires a few weeks of rehabbing. Maurice Morris will be a hot commodity on the waiver wires next week for sure!
|
|
Kevin Smith looks like Detroit's starter -- Tue Nov 22 6:15 pm --
Lions new RB appears to be favorite for heavy workload Thursday |
Kevin Smith was taking 1st team reps in skeleton drills in Lions practice Tuesday. (Chris McCosky on Twitter)
FF Today's Take: Smith is deservedly the top waiver wire add this week and should see a ton of action down the stretch. Smith looked fresh and explosive in Week 11 and appears to have supplanted Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams as Detroit's starter.
|
|
Kevin Smith explodes in Week 11 -- Sun Nov 20 7:15 pm --
From street free agent to featured RB in two games |
Running back Kevin Smith, back with the Lions for just his second game, had a remarkable performance with a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns in Week 11.
He added 61 more yards receiving and another score on four catches.
Smith was drafted by the Lions in the third round in 2008 but a thumb injury limited him to just six games and 133 yards last season. He was released in the offseason, but was re-signed before the Lions' game at Chicago last week. (Detroit News)
FF Today's Take: Every year seems to produce a second-half fantasy superstar RB and Smith may be the latest one. His injury history is well-documented and he had the benefit of a great matchup vs. Carolina, but Detroit would be foolish not to feature Smith over Maurice Morris for as long as Jahvid Best must sit out due to his concussion, if he even returns at all. The Lions host the Packers on Thanksgiving in Week 12.
|
|
?
