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 enough."
Last week the carries were split almost evenly only because of Smith's injury. Smith finished with 16 carries for 45 yards, Maurice Morris had 14 for 63. At halftime, Smith had 13 for 42, Morris four for 19. Aaron Brown had two for 15, both in the first half.
"We want to see those two guys carrying the ball in that kind of fashion," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "I thought that was fairly good balance between those two and Aaron. We've got to, between the three of them, come up with a productive plan in the run game to win. We haven't gotten there yet."
Lions news
