Profootballtalk.com reports that Kevin Smith (ankle) will play in Sunday's game against the Saints.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press expects Kevin Smith (questionable, ankle) to play against the Saints, "barring a setback." Smith's light participation in Friday's practice clearly wasn't a huge concern. The Lions' plan all along was to work him hard in Thursday's practice and let him take it easy leading into the game. Saints-Lions projects as a high-scoring shootout, and Smith should be difficult to bench in PPR leagues because he's easily Detroit's top check-down option. Assuming he makes it through the game okay, Smith will be a candidate for 20-25 touches.

According to MLive.com, the Lions limited Kevin Smith's (questionable, ankle) practice reps on Friday "as a precaution." Smith says he has no trouble cutting on what was initially reported to be a high ankle sprain. "Yesterday was the day I did a pretty good workload," he added. "I had a lot of reps yesterday. It wasn't sore. It was sore, but not how you would expect after working out. It's progressing well. The medical staff is doing a really good job with the rehab and treatment. I'm pretty excited." Smith still sounds like a game-time decision for Sunday Night Football. He'll be worth waiting for only if you own Maurice Morris, as well.

Kevin Smith (ankle) is practicing again on Friday. Smith didn't have a setback after Thursday's practice, so he's still trending in the right direction. We are tentatively expecting him to start and take as many carries as his ankle will allow against the Saints this week.

Updating a previous item, Kevin Smith (ankle) is listed as a limited participant in his return to practice Thursday. Coach Jim Schwartz noted that Smith is "making improvements every day," but it's "probably too soon to tell" if he'll start against the Saints this week. For what it's worth, Tim Twentyman of the Lions official website believes Smith should be ready to play by Sunday.

According to the Oakland Press, Kevin Smith (ankle) was a full participant in his return to practice Thursday.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was participating in Lions practice Thursday. Smith will likely end up as a "limited" participant, but he's trending in the right direction. Per beat writer Dave Birkett, Smith ran a cone and bag drill Thursday "without issue" and it "looks like he'll be a go barring a tweak." At this point, it's obvious Smith's Thanksgiving ankle sprain was of the mild variety.

Kevin Smith (ankle) remained optimistic about his status despite not practicing Wednesday. "After you guys left, I got to do some stuff," Smith said. "I felt pretty good for a Wednesday. At this pace, I'm excited. I'm just rehabbing the heck out of it." If Smith had a true high ankle sprain, he wouldn't have been able to run at all just six days after his injury. While it would be a surprise if he played against the Saints Sunday night, signs point toward Smith being a major factor in the fantasy playoffs.

Kevin Smith (ankle) did not participate in Lions practice Wednesday. Smith was able to participate in group stretching today, but was otherwise limited to working on the side with team trainers. It remains unclear how serious his ankle injury really is, but there's so far been nothing to suggest he'll be active against the Saints. His status will be updated on Thursday.

Kevin Smith (ankle) did not participate in position drills Wednesday. Smith reportedly looked very uncomfortable while simply walking around and stretching with his teammates. He then left practice, presumably to do rehab on his ankle sprain. Early signs point toward Maurice Morris starting Sunday night's game against the Saints.