"The Lions came into training camp with the idea that rookie Jahvid Best would win the starting tailback job. They didn't trade up into the first round to draft a second-stringer.

But they also hoped that incumbent starter Kevin Smith would have recovered from major knee surgery well enough to share some of the load.

In all probability, they will have to settle for one out of two.

Best is the unquestioned starter, but it looks like it might be a while before Smith is ready to take up any of the slack. Coach Jim Schwartz didn't say it directly and Smith is not listed on the team's injury report -- but there is a chance he will be inactive Sunday for the season-opener at Chicago.

"He's had a great rehab and his knee is strong," Schwartz said. "He hasn't had any unexpected problems as far as being sore or anything like that. He just needs to be -- I don't want to say at full speed -- but he just needs to be back and when he is, he will be right back in there."

Maurice Morris will likely backup Best on Sunday, but the Lions are clearly comfortable with Best being their primary, every-down back."