Kevin Smith (ankle) was held out of Lions practice on Tuesday. FS Louis Delmas (knee) and CBs Chris Houston (knee) and Brandon McDonald (knee) are also out in an injury-depleted secondary. The Lions are getting an early start to the practice week after playing last Thursday. There's still a possibility that Smith will return by Thursday or Friday, but we wouldn't bank on it at this point. Be sure to have an alternative on hand at RB2/flex.

Citing a source with knowledge of the situation, Profootballtalk.com reports that Kevin Smith's ankle sprain is "mild," and that he has a chance to play against the Saints in Week 13. Per PFT's Mike Florio, Smith "could be back next week." The Lions' Friday placement of Jahvid Best (concussions) on injured reserve seemed to indicate that Smith's ankle sprain was indeed of the high variety, but there's now reason to believe that he's avoided a significant, multi-week injury. We'll know more next week. Don't drop Smith in any fantasy leagues.

Kevin Smith said after Thursday's game that his ankle sprain "wasn't that bad" and suggested he still has a chance to play in Week 13. "It wasn't that bad, it's just a matter of I couldn't cut," said Smith. "If I can't help, I can't play. That's the bottom line. I've got 10 days. In my mind, I'll be ready. We will see what happens." While Smith's account does seem overly optimistic, it's a good sign that he left Ford Field without the aid of crutches. Perhaps it's not a high ankle sprain after all.

Kevin Smith sustained a high-ankle sprain in the first half of Thursday's game against the Packers, according to FOX's Jimmy Johnson. Johnson said he talked to the Lions' trainer. If Smith has a true high-ankle sprain, he'll be out at least a few weeks, leaving Maurice Morris as the starter once again. Before going down, Smith was on pace for a monster game with 57 first-quarter yards on 10 touches.

Kevin Smith was carted off in the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Packers with a lower leg injury. Smith was tearing through the Packers' defense early on, racking up 57 yards on 10 touches in just over a quarter of action. But then he suffered a dreaded non-contact injury and hobbled to the sidelines. Maurice Morris has come on as the feature back and Smith has been deemed questionable to return.

Kevin Smith is starting Thursday's game against the Packers. Smith is expected to be a featured player in the Lions' offense as the Packers' defense protects against the pass. We can safely project 14-18 touches, leaving Smith as a RB2 with some upside in PPR formats. The Lions' inactives: QB Drew Stanton, RB Jahvid Best, G Leonard Davis, DE Lawrence Jackson, CB Alphonso Smith, CB Don Carey and P Ryan Donahue. Defensive tackle Corey Williams (calf) is a go.

Kevin Smith was taking the first-team reps at Lions practice Monday. As expected. After the first quarter last week, Smith received 19 touches while Maurice Morris got four and Keiland Williams saw zero. It's obvious that the fresh Smith is the new feature back in this offense, thanks in large part to his effectiveness in the passing game. While he won't face the Panthers' anemic defense every week, he will get the majority of backfield snaps going forward. Smith is the top waiver add as we head into Week 12.

Taking over as the Lions' feature back, Kevin Smith exploded for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and 61 yards and another score on four receptions to lead the Lions to a 49-35 victory over the Panthers in Week 11.

Updating a previous item, Kevin Smith worked ahead of Keiland Williams in Thursday's practice rotation. OC Scott Linehan said "played good" in his 2011 debut, with "a couple nice runs" and "really, really strong" pass protection. Smith can't be trusted as a flex play yet, but that could be coming soon.

Kevin Smith has continued to work as the third-string running back at practice this week. Smith got six garbage-time touches in last week's 37-13 loss to the Bears and handled himself well. But Maurice Morris is locked in as the starter and Keiland Williams remains the primary backup/change-of-pace runner. Smith's role figures to remain small against the Panthers this week.