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Kevin Smith News & Rumors

With lots of RBs, Kevin Smith's future with Lions up in air
January 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"As the Lions headed into the off-season, free-agent running back Kevin Smith was not sure about where his path would lead. Smith made a valuable contribution this season. He had a career-high 4.9-yard rushing average and had three solid games, including a 140-yard day against Carolina, after signing off the street in the middle of the season. But Smith struggled with a high-ankle sprain and saw his production wane in the final few games. That, plus four running backs still under contract with the Lions -- Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, Keiland Williams and Joique Bell -- makes his situation sticky in Detroit. "I'll let my agent handle that," Smith said. "I would love to be here. This is all"
Lions' Kevin Smith, Tony Scheffler okay after practice collision
January 5
Detroit News
 
"The Lions had a little scare early in practice Wednesday. Running back Kevin Smith and tight end Tony Scheffler collided during a light passing drill. Smith stayed down longer than Scheffler. Both walked off on their own power, though Smith was aided by a trainer. "Both guys finished practice," coach Jim Schwartz said. "They just ran into each other." They were running routes, each with a different quarterback. Both wound up on the same side of the field and when Smith turned up field, he crashed into an unsuspecting Scheffler."
Kevin Smith currently is not expected to play
December 11
Pro Football Talk
 
"On Thanksgiving, Lions running back Kevin Smith suffered a sprained ankle. But he played last weekend against the Saints. That doesn't mean he'll be able to continue to play with the injury. Per a league source, Smith currently is not expected to play when the Lions host the Vikings."
Early practice exit puts Kevin Smith's status in question for Vikings
December 10
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith wanted to practice Friday to see whether he could make certain cuts with his sprained right ankle. He couldn't, and now his status for Sunday's game against the Vikings is in question. Smith left the open portion of practice Friday after pulling up during his first pass route out of the backfield in a skeleton offense drill. He walked immediately off the field and was tended to by trainers. "I don't know that it was disappointing (to see him limp off)," coach Jim Schwartz said. "It's where he is right now." Smith is listed as questionable on the official injury report, but Schwartz indicates Smith could be available on a limited basis like he was last week"
Detroit Lions' Kevin Smith gives his ankle a try at practice
December 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith said it was important to test his sprained right ankle in practice today to make sure he could make certain cuts with the injury. He found out he couldn't. Smith left the open portion of practice today after pulling up during his first pass route out of the backfield in a skeleton offense drill. He walked immediately off the field, leaving his status for Sunday's must-win game against the Minnesota Vikings is in doubt. Maurice Morris will start with Keiland Williams and Aaron Brown as his backups if Smith cannot play."
Kevin Smith carted off in Detroit
November 24
Pro Football Talk
 
"Last week, Lions running back Kevin Smith was hailed as the best story in the NFL. This week he may be a sad story. Smith, who went from being unemployed for most of the season to being last week's NFC offensive player of the week, was carted off the field today in Detroit after suffering a lower leg injury."
Lions' Kevin Smith likely to start vs. Packers
November 22
Detroit News
 
"It's probably not a huge surprise after his performance Sunday against Carolina, but if the early part of practice Tuesday was any indication, Kevin Smith is going to make his first start at running back since the 2009 season. Smith, who rushed for 140 yards Sunday and scored three touchdowns, was taking first-team reps during the skeleton drills Tuesday. Jahvid Best was still not cleared for physical activity and won't play Thursday. It's not set in stone, certainly, but it looks like Smith will start against the Packers."
Kevin Smith comes back -- so do the Lions
November 21
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Mitch Albom
"Kevin Smith took his final handoff, cut into traffic, lost two defenders and scampered into the end zone for a touchdown, the 48th point of the Detroit offense, and the major point of the whole afternoon. If Kevin can, the Lions can, too. Come back, that is. Smith, until a few weeks ago, had been sitting on the couch. And the Lions played half of Sunday afternoon as if they were sleeping on it. This would be the third time they had fallen behind by 17 or more points this season only to rally to win. You can look at that as half-full, half-empty or half-nuts. Or you can spend the first 30 minutes of every Detroit game raking leaves."
Detroit 49, Carolina 35: A sweet return for Lions' Kevin Smith
November 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"Three weeks ago, Kevin Smith was rubbish on the NFL scrap heap, an injury-prone running back with too little tread on his tires to warrant a second chance. After a career day Sunday, Smith is the reason the Lions still have playoff hopes. Smith gave a much-needed boost to a nonexistent ground game, rushing for 140 yards and scoring three touchdowns as the Lions overcame a 17-point second-quarter deficit to beat the Panthers at Ford Field, 49-35. With six games remaining, the Lions (7-3) are tied with the Bears for the NFC wild-card lead, a game ahead of the Cowboys and Falcons."
Kevin Smith could play Sunday vs. Bears
November 11
Detroit Free Press
 
"Kevin Smith hasn't logged an NFL carry in almost a year, but offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said the Lions' newest running back could make a cameo in Sunday's game against the Bears. "I could see him playing some this game," Linehan said Thursday. "The expectation is to get to Sunday and see where we are. The other two guys (Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams) are ready to go, like they were. But there would be a scenario there where Kevin could play for us." Morris has averaged 4.9 yards a carry over the last two games in Jahvid Best's absence and is expected to start again Sunday. Best is still recovering from an October concussion. Williams has 39 carries for 118 yards in seven"
Kevin Smith embraces second chance with Lions
November 9
Detroit News
 
"The last thing Kevin Smith cares about is why the Lions decided to bring him back halfway through the season. After months of working out for teams and hearing, "We're not looking for a running back" or "You're in shape but not in football shape" or "Hey, you look great, we will keep you on top of our list," all Smith cared about was somebody giving him a second chance. And if it happened to be the Lions, the team that drafted him in 2008 and rather unceremoniously dumped him in 2010, all the better. "It feels good to be in pads, to be playing football again," Smith said after going through his first practice Tuesday. "I've been training since I had that (knee) injury that put me on"
Kevin Smith works as Lions' No. 3 RB while Jahvid Best sits
November 9
Detroit News
 
"Jahvid Best (concussion), as expected, was not cleared for practice Tuesday, amid reports that he will miss his third straight game Sunday. ESPN, citing an anonymous league source, reported that Best would not play at Chicago. The team has not officially ruled him out. Running back Kevin Smith, waived by the Lions after last season, was signed Monday and was working in as the No. 3 running back early in practice Tuesday."
Lions' Kevin Smith tells Dolphins 'Come get me'
January 19
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith is from Miami and he'd like to return home. According to a story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Smith was in Miami working out on his own when he asked a reporter to deliver a message to the Miami Dolphins: "Come get me.'' The one minor hitch to that, of course, is that Smith is a three-year veteran and even under a new collective bargaining agreement, he's expected to be an restricted free agent. To leave the Lions, who have shown no inclination to allow him to leave, Smith would have to get the Dolphins to come up with draft pick compensation. That's not likely, considering Smith's overall yardage has declined in each of his three seasons and"
Lions RB Kevin Smith refutes 'come get me' report
January 19
Detroit News
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith said his heart is still in Detroit and is hopeful he will return to the team next season. Smith was upset with a tweet from South Florida Sun-Sentinel sports writer Omar Kelly, who said Smith told him he wanted to pass along a message to the Miami Dolphins: "Come get me." "Man, people can write anything," Smith said by phone from South Florida. Smith said he was working out in a local gym and "some guy" started talking to him. Smith said he recognized Kelly from his days of playing in Florida. "I guess he was looking for a story," Smith said. "I have a contract and I am happy to be where I am at. That is what it boils down to. I told him I was not doing a"
Lions RB Kevin Smith learns on the sideline
January 17
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith could have had several reasons to be unhappy about his season. He missed the first three games recovering from knee surgery. He played in only six games before he went on injured reserve in mid-November with a thumb injury. As a result, Smith registered career lows in rushing and receiving yardage and did not score a touchdown for the first time in his three seasons. But Smith has chosen to view his time off the field as a positive. "Me being on IR, I still know how to play football. I think I did," he said. "Unfortunately being hurt, (but) watching from the sideline I was able to see a lot of things. So just watching, I learned a lot about the game.""
Lions sign LB Caleb Campbell, place Kevin Smith on IR
November 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"Crunched for roster space by injuries to Matthew Stafford and Jason Hanson, the Detroit Lions placed running back Kevin Smith on injured reserve today and signed linebacker Caleb Campbell off the practice squad. Smith injured his right thumb in the first half of last week's 14-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills when he took a helmet to the hand. He underwent surgery Thursday and said Friday he hoped to have his hard cast off and be in a splint by next week. With Smith expected to miss several games, the Lions juggled their running back rotation in practice this week. Maurice Morris, who had been the personal protector on punt team, moves up the depth chart as Jahvid Best's backup. It's unclear"
Lions' Kevin Smith to have thumb surgery, out indefinitely
November 18
Detroit News
 
"The Lions announced that Shaun Hill would start at quarterback Sunday in Dallas, no shocker there. But they also announced that running back Kevin Smith will have thumb surgery Thursday and will be out indefinitely. "We won't put a timetable on it," coach Jim Schwartz said. "But he's definitely out this week."Aaron Brown will be active and could get some work on Sunday. As for quarterback Matthew Stafford, Schwartz said the rehab process has started and he was doing well. "The fact that we are able to stick with the plan that we formulated last week is encouraging," Schwartz said of Dr. James Andrews' opinion that surgery wasn't needed at this time. "When you get concurrence among"
Kevin Smith will have thumb surgery
November 17
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith will undergo thumb surgery Thursday and miss Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Smith suffered a thumb injury late in the first half of last Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. He missed three games earlier this year while recovering from 2009 knee surgery but has served as Jahvid Best's primary backup since early October. "Kevin has been extremely tough in his dealing with a lot of different issues and his giving us a spark and things like that," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "But there's a big difference in dealing with sore knees and ankles and shoulders and hamstrings, all those things that running backs deal with, and dealing with a thumb"
Jahvid Best, Kevin Smith among Lions sitting out practice
November 17
Detroit News
 
"Eight Lions starters, 10 players total, did not participate in practice Wednesday. The sitting starters were quarterback Matthew Stafford (shoulder), kicker Jason Hanson (knee), wide receiver Calvin Johnson, tight end Tony Scheffler, running back Jahvid Best (toes), defensive linemen Corey Williams and Cliff Avril (quadriceps) and linebacker DeAndre Levy. Johnson, Best, Scheffler, Williams and Levy were presumably given maintenance days."
With chip on shoulder, RB Kevin Smith has stellar game
November 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith had one the best games of his career in Sunday's victory over the Washington Redskins. He may not have had gaudy statistics, but he played well late, when it mattered. But Smith's performance was even more impressive when you consider he did it while carrying a chip on his shoulder roughly the size of the Rock of Gibraltar. "I like having a chip on my shoulder, but that's just because I'm in the NFL," Smith said Monday. "That's because I've ran for 2,500 yards and got drafted third round. All that's going to always stay with me the rest of my life. My son will probably feel that." Smith had knee surgery last year, and after the Lions drafted Jahvid Best in"
Kevin Smith gets rush from helping Lions win
November 1
Detroit News
 
"Running back Kevin Smith didn't want to talk about the 51 rushing yards he amassed Sunday. He wasn't bragging about two key first-down runs early in the fourth quarter that helped the Lions to a 37-25 victory over the Redskins at Ford Field. Smith wanted to talk about the key block he made late in the third quarter that allowed quarterback Matthew Stafford to hit receiver Nate Burleson for a 25-yard gain. "Let's talk about that block," he said. "I got a good block on that play." Burleson fumbled after making the catch, but the fact Smith was in the game at all late in the third quarter and late into the fourth quarter is a tribute to how far he has come. Smith tore his ACL in Baltimore"
Lions RB Kevin Smith's knee 'felt good'
October 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Kevin Smith played a football game Sunday for the first time since last December. He returned from anterior cruciate ligament surgery and split time with Jahvid Best against the Packers. He had three carries for 12 yards and caught four passes for 22 yards. "I feel good," he said after the game. "My knee felt good." As for his role this season, he added, "I do whatever they tell me to do.""
Lions' RB Kevin Smith appears on verge of 2010 debut
September 28
Detroit News
 
"All signs are pointing toward running back Kevin Smith being back in uniform Sunday in Green Bay. "I am not going to make any commitment that I don't have any control over, but it looks like I could be getting some action," he said. It's been nine months since he had major knee surgery (ACL). The Lions expected him to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but he was ready go on Day 1."
Lions RB Kevin Smith probably won't be active for Bears
September 9
Detroit News
 
"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"
Lions' Kevin Smith works on trusting repaired knee
September 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith had his biggest workload of the exhibition and responded with his best game. Smith, the starter the past two seasons, is coming off surgery that repaired a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He has been managed carefully in training camp and in two previous exhibition games. In a 28-23 victory over Buffalo in Thursday's exhibition finale at Ford Field, Smith showed some flashes of the promise he showed as a rookie when he fell just shy of a 1,000-yard season. Smith started and played the entire first half. He had four carries for 18 yards, good for a 4.5-yard average. He also contributed in the passing game with a team-high three catches for 21"
Lions RB Kevin Smith starts to get comfortable
September 3
Detroit News
 
"Rookie running back Jahvid Best took the night off for the Lions exhibition finale at Ford Field Thursday against the Bills. That meant running back Kevin Smith got some early work with the first-teamers and played nearly all of the first quarter. As the team's starting running back the past two seasons, playing more than just a couple series in the fourth and final exhibition game is something Smith isn't used to. Starters usually play only a series or two in the final exhibition game. Smith's extended work is partly because of his continued effort to fully recover from offseason knee surgery. But it also speaks to his new role on this team. Best has replaced Smith as the starter."
Lions RB Kevin Smith coming along slowly
September 1
Detroit News
 
"Is there a chance running back Kevin Smith doesn't make the 53-man roster? Barring any kind of injury setback, probably not. But it appears there still is plenty he needs to show before solidifying his role as the primary backup to rookie Jahvid Best. "We know Kevin is a very, very smart football player, and he's going to do the right things," coach Jim Schwartz said Tuesday. "We have a lot of trust in him as far as that. It's not so much earning our trust. He needs to get his own trust with his knee." Smith's working his way back from major surgery (torn anterior cruciate ligament). He got his first prolonged playing time last weekend and gained 20 yards on eight carries with one fumble"
Lions' Kevin Smith is not rooting against fellow running back Jahvid Best
August 24
Michigan Live
 
"Kevin Smith wants to be the starting running back for the Detroit Lions, there's no question about that. While it appears that rookie Jahvid Best is going to fill that role, Smith is more worried about the team's success than his own personal goals. "I see him making a lot of plays and that's good for the organization, that's good for the running backs, we're a tight group,'' Smith said today. "I'm a competitor. It's not just me. If you see a guy out there making plays, you want to make plays, too. I'm competitor, but I'm a teammate first.'' Smith said there's still some lingering issues with his surgically repaired knee, but he's getting further along in his recovery."
Lions' Kevin Smith has positive outlook, goals after surgery
August 24
Detroit Free Press
 
"Kevin Smith sees reminders everywhere of the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in December. The scar on his left knee. The brace he wears on the field. Even the first-round pick who sits a couple of stalls away in the Lions' locker room. Smith returned from December knee surgery Saturday to play 12 snaps in an exhibition win over the Denver Broncos. He carried three times, gained 6 yards, and pronounced himself "close" to 100% on Monday. "Some days, I can wake up and forget I even had the surgery," Smith said. "Some days, I can wake up and wonder how I'm going to get through the day. That just comes the part with an ACL. But it'll get better. In four months, when I'm a year out,"
Lions running back Kevin Smith welcomes battle with rookie Jahvid Best
July 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"One of the Lions' most interesting position battles in training camp will be between running backs Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best. Smith is the third-year incumbent. He struggled last season, but he was a good soldier. He played hard and played hurt until suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the season. Best is the rookie highlight-reel speed merchant drafted in the first round after the Lions moved up to snag him. But Smith isn't shying away from the competition, and he's not uncomfortable talking about it. "I mean, I'm a competitor," Smith said. "It's not just Best. It's any back that's been in the backfield. I think he's a good addition to the backfield, and"
Lions RB Kevin Smith supportive of rookie Jahvid Best
May 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"There is good reason for Lions running back Kevin Smith to be worried about competition from vaunted rookie Jahvid Best. After all, Smith was a third-round pick by a previous coaching regime. He had a tough second season that ended with him going on injured reserve with a torn knee ligament that required surgery and is still healing. Best was a prized first-round pick the Lions traded up for and whom coach Jim Schwartz admitted drooling over while watching highlight clips. But, according to Best, Smith has been nothing but supportive. "He's probably like my big brother right now," Best said Tuesday, when rookies and veterans had their first joint organized team activity. "He's just giving"
Lions Kevin Smith says he welcomes the competition at running back
April 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith said he is welcoming his main competition for the starting job, first-round draft pick Jahvid Best of California. "I think he's a good complement because he's able to make it to this level and because of what he was able to do in college," Smith said in a story on the Lions' Web site. "I think that he's a good addition. Obviously, if we picked him up in the first round, he's someone who can help the team. "I'm all welcome. I like that type of stuff -- anything that can help us win, I'm all about winning." While Best has been receiving high praise for his speed and highlight-reel performances that are currently starring on YouTube, Smith's future is uncertain."
Lions' Kevin Smith, on ACL recovery: 'I can do almost everything'
March 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"Kevin Smith's rehab from a torn ACL is going well, by all accounts. But the Detroit Lions are looking to upgrade at running back as the NFL draft approaches next month. "I can do almost everything except run," Smith wrote in an upbeat blog posted Wednesday at smith34.com. "I'm not even trying to run right now, though I know I could. It would probably make the knee swell up. I'm lifting weights and doing everything else I can do." Smith wrote that he thinks he's "right on schedule" but also said "there's no timeline" for the knee. As coach Jim Schwartz said this week at the NFL owners' meetings, "It's not measured in days or weeks. I mean, you're measuring the rehab in months." The Lions"
Rehab a 'humbling experience' for Lions' Kevin Smith
March 26
Detroit News
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith hasn't met with the local media since the end of last season. But he looked to be in pretty good shape last week when he was seen briefly at the team's practice facility in Allen Park. And by all accounts, his rehab from December surgery to repair a torn ACL is going well. Smith reiterated that on his blog Wednesday, writing, "My leg is feeling good and I think I'm right on schedule." He says he can do "almost everything except run" in his rehab. But he also talks about the difficulty that comes with rehabbing from a serious knee injury. "A lot of rehab is mental," Smith writes. "It's not painful, it's more of a fatigue feeling in your muscles. There are no"
RB Kevin Smith no longer having shoulder surgery
February 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith no longer is set to have shoulder surgery. The Lions originally planned for Smith to have surgery to tighten one of his shoulders after he got off crutches from surgery to repair a torn knee ligament. Coach Jim Schwartz was asked today at the NFL scouting combine whether the Lions' doctors originally wanted Smith to have surgery but Smith sought a second opinion. "It was just assumed, 'OK, well, it's going to need to be done,' " Schwartz said. "And then things change, because as the year goes on and he's able to play with it without having another issue with it, and then you get looks at new tests and strength and all those kind of things … yeah,"
Lions' Kevin Smith is reconsidering shoulder surgery
February 5
Michigan Live
 
"According to a league source, Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith, who was expected to have offseason shoulder surgery, is continuing to seek more medical opinions and might not have the surgery after all. It was believed that Smith, who is recovering from knee surgery, was delaying the operation on his shoulder until after he got off crutches. However, Smith might opt to repair the shoulder through rehabilitation instead. Smith tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against the Baltimore Ravens and had the injury surgically repaired a short time later. He already had been playing with two sore shoulders, injuries he suffered earlier in the season."
Lions' Kevin Smith to have shoulder surgery; Daunte Culpepper might be back
January 7
Michigan Live
 
"Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew met with the media for about 50 minutes today, and he covered a lot of ground. Details will come shortly, but here are the highlights of what he had to say: * Running back Kevin Smith, who is recovering from knee surgery, also will undergo surgery on his left shoulder. Because Smith still is on crutches, the work on his shoulder won't be done until he's off crutches. * Because of Smith's injury situation, the Lions expect to add a running back to the team in one form or another. Mayhew also said that Smith was playing with two injured shoulders for almost the entire season. * Free agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper could be back in"
Lions running back will see orthopedic specialist
December 21
Detroit News
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith will visit noted orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday. Smith said he expects to undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. "I go tomorrow, so hopefully I won't leave Alabama without having the surgery," Smith said after the Lions' 31-24 loss to Arizona on Sunday. "And hopefully I come back a new man. ... I'm just ready to get surgery and get back." Smith suffered the torn ACL in the fourth quarter of last week's loss at Baltimore. He was off crutches by Wednesday, and the team was encouraged by how quickly the swelling subsided in his left knee, paving the way for this week's expected surgical procedure."
Lions RB Kevin Smith will have season-ending surgery
December 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith will have season-ending surgery on his left knee, coach Jim Schwartz said today. Schwartz said Smith has at least a torn knee ligament, but he didn't want to give details until the doctors go in and determine the full extent of the damage. Smith went down in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 48-3 loss at Baltimore. His knee buckled as he tried to cut after making a catch."
Kevin Smith will likely miss rest of Lions' season
December 14
Detroit News
 
"The Lions appear to have lost running back Kevin Smith to a season-ending knee injury. Smith went down in a heap at the end of a 15-yard reception on the second play of the fourth quarter in a 48-3 loss to the Ravens on Sunday. The second-year running back was carted off the field in obvious pain and will undergo an MRI exam Monday to determine the severity of the injury. But coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged that it's likely a "significant" knee injury that occurred as Smith ducked and tried to cut inside Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain. "I was just catching a flat pass and trying to cut back and somehow my leg got stuck in the ground," said Smith, who was on crutches in the postgame"
Lions RB Kevin Smith suffers a 'significant' knee injury
December 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith knew it was bad right away. He caught a pass in the flat early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 48-3 loss to the Ravens, and as he tried to make a cut, his left knee buckled. "I just remember falling to the ground in extreme pain," Smith said. "It hurt very bad." Smith was on crutches with a bulky brace on his left knee in the locker room. He said he would undergo testing today in Detroit, but that it didn't "feel real good." Coach Jim Schwartz said the injury looked "significant," his word for long-term. "There's always going to be things in your way on your way to success," Smith said. "I'm tough enough to fight through whatever's going to happen. I'll"
Kevin Smith will likely miss rest of Lions' season
December 13
Detroit News
 
"The Lions appear to have lost running back Kevin Smith to a season-ending knee injury. Smith went down in a heap at the end of a 15-yard reception on the second play of the fourth quarter in a 48-3 loss to the Ravens on Sunday. The second-year running back was carted off the field in obvious pain and will undergo an MRI exam Monday to determine the severity of the injury. But coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged that it's likely a "significant" knee injury that occurred as Smith ducked and tried to cut inside Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain. I was just catching a flat pass and trying to cut back and somehow my leg got stuck in the ground," said Smith, who was on crutches in the postgame"
Kevin Smith's runs impress Jim Schwartz, but Bengals kept chains moving
December 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"The statistics say the Lions ran the ball and stopped the run Sunday. Lions running back Kevin Smith averaged 4.7 yards per carry. Bengals running back Cedric Benson averaged 3.1. But the Lions lost, 23-13. Smith's 16 carries for 75 yards weren't enough, and while the Bengals' running game didn't bust anything big, it got the job done. "We lost," Smith said. "I don't know (that) progress is when you run the ball and lose." Smith still struggled to break away in the open field. His longest run was 17 yards. But he gained a lot of tough yards inside. "I thought he ran very hard today," coach Jim Schwartz said. "I thought he ran the football the way that we know he can run it. He picked up"
Kevin Smith's runs impress Jim Schwartz, but Bengals kept chains moving
December 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"The statistics say the Lions ran the ball and stopped the run Sunday. Lions running back Kevin Smith averaged 4.7 yards per carry. Bengals running back Cedric Benson averaged 3.1. But the Lions lost, 23-13. Smith's 16 carries for 75 yards weren't enough, and while the Bengals' running game didn't bust anything big, it got the job done. "We lost," Smith said. "I don't know (that) progress is when you run the ball and lose." Smith still struggled to break away in the open field. His longest run was 17 yards. But he gained a lot of tough yards inside. "I thought he ran very hard today," coach Jim Schwartz said. "I thought he ran the football the way that we know he can run it. He picked up"
Lions Calvin Johnson, Kevin Smith will play today
November 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson will return today against the Seahawks after missing two games with a right knee injury. Running back Kevin Smith will play after leaving the last game with a shoulder injury. But defensive tackle Grady Jackson will be inactive. A Lions spokesman said it was the coaches' decision. Jackson, a 36-year-old veteran who had off-season knee surgery, was listed as probable on the injury report Friday. The Lions signed defensive tackle Joe Cohen off the practice squad Saturday, and Landon Cohen will start in Jackson's place."
Lions RB Kevin Smith wants to quiet the critics
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Kevin Smith returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a shoulder injury. He was listed as limited, and coach Jim Schwartz left some doubt about his status for Sunday's game at Seattle. "He's got a long way to go till Sunday, but I'm encouraged," Schwartz said. "Kevin's a tough guy. Kevin's a hardworking guy. I know if he can go on Sunday, he'll go." But Smith not only sounded as if he would go, he sounded like his ambitious, chip-on-the-shoulder self. "We're all looking to kind of quiet the critics that Detroit doesn't have a running game," Smith said. "Because I get the ball first, I want to be that tempo-setter and that lead dog. I think enough's"
Lions' coach 'optimistic' Johnson, Smith will play
November 6
Detroit News
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Friday he's "optimistic" that both receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play Sunday at Seattle. "As long as everything keeps going the way it is the next few days, I'll be all right," Johnson said after practicing again Friday. Johnson has missed the last two games with a right knee injury, while Smith suffered a shoulder injury last week against St. Louis. Smith said Thursday he expected to be ready to play against the Seahawks, as will quarterback Matthew Stafford, who returned from a three-week absence to play against the Rams last week."
Lions RB Kevin Smith, WR Calvin Johnson practice today
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith continued to practice today. Both seem likely to play Sunday at Seattle, though Lions coach Jim Schwartz likely will not tip his hand. Johnson has missed two games with a injured right knee. Smith left the Lions' last game with a shoulder problem."
Smith returns; Calvin Johnson looks good
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith returned to practice today, while wide receiver Calvin Johnson continued to show progress. Smith left Sunday's 17-10 loss to St. Louis with a shoulder injury and didn't practice Wednesday. He seems likely to play Sunday at Seattle, though coach Jim Schwartz isn't saying so. "He's got a long way to go till Sunday, but I'm encouraged," Schwartz said today. "Kevin's a tough guy. Kevin's a hardworking guy. I know if he can go on Sunday, he'll go." Johnson has missed two games with a right knee injury and was listed as limited Wednesday. He continued to look good in the portion of practice open to reporters, but Schwartz continued to say he would be a"