Kevin Smith rushed for 35 yards on nine carries and caught four balls for 26 yards and a touchdown as the Lions fell to the Packers in Week 17. Maurice Morris only had four carries, so this wasn't a case of Smith devolving into a committee back. The Lions simply threw the football all day, as Matthew Stafford finished with 59 pass attempts. Smith is a slightly above replacement-level pure running back, but his versatility has been a huge late-season addition for the Lions. He'll be the feature back during the playoffs. Detroit heads to the Superdome in Week 18.

Kevin Smith (ankle) is practicing in full this week. Smith is healthy enough to play in Week 17, but there are indications that the Lions will hold him out against the Packers, or at least keep him on a carry and snap count. Fantasy owners still playing should look elsewhere for Sunday.

The Detroit Free Press confirms that Kevin Smith (ankle) resting in Week 17 is a possibility after the Lions signed Joique Bell on Monday. Smith has been gutting it out through what the Free Press continues to call a high ankle sprain, and his per-play performance has waned recently. The Lions can't move much in the postseason standings with a Week 17 victory, so holding out any nicked-up players would seem to be in their best interest.

Kevin Smith (ankle) is active for Week 16.

Kevin Smith (ankle) is listed as probable for Week 16 after turning in a full week of practice. He should be as healthy as he's been since signing with the Lions in November. Smith disappointed in Week 15, in large part because Detroit fell behind 27-14 to the Raiders, but word out of Detroit is that he's looked noticeably better this week and says he's nearing 100 percent health. The Lions are sticking with Smith as their every-down back, and he's now facing a weak Chargers run defense. He's an intriguing upside play as an RB2.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was a full participant in Lions practice for the second straight day Thursday. Smith is a full-go for Saturday's game against the Dolphins, and will again dominate the touches in Detroit's backfield. He's Rotoworld's 28th ranked running back for Week 16.

Updating an earlier item, Kevin Smith (ankle) was a full participant in Lions practice Wednesday. This confirms that Smith came out of Sunday's win over the Raiders without further injury, and will be Detroit's feature back against the Chargers on Christmas Eve. The only Lions' running back worth playing during the fantasy finals, consider Smith a boom-or-bust RB2 against San Diego's middling run defense.

Kevin Smith was dressed for Lions practice Wednesday.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was never officially removed from Sunday's win over the Raiders. It was obvious from the get go Smith was at far less than 100 percent, but he was never forced to the sideline by the high-ankle sprain that's limited him since Thanksgiving. The fact that he received just one fourth-quarter touch was solely the result of the Lions having to rally from a 27-14 deficit. Smith has to make some progress in practice this week to be considered a viable RB2 for the fantasy finals.

Kevin Smith rushed 15 times for just 43 yards and added one reception for three yards against the Raiders in Week 15. Smith had no room to run against a defense that was gashed by Ryan Grant a week ago, but this was still his worst performance since re-signing with Detroit. Although he did play all three downs as the feature back, Smith dropped two easy passes and failed to make defenders miss on the ground. We'd like to see him increase his practice work this week before recommending him as a RB2 versus the Chargers.