The Detroit News confirms that Kevin Smith (ankle) is expected to start Sunday's game against the Raiders.

DetroitLions.com has essentially said the same thing. The Raiders have been getting rocked by opposing running games since their Week 9 bye, allowing enemy tailbacks to average over 5 1/2 yards per carry. Smith's ankle is not nearly the concern it was two weeks ago. Fantasy owners looking for a high-upside Week 15 starter should get Smith into their lineups as an RB2 or flex.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was limited in his return to practice on Thursday.

Coordinator Scott Linehan is confident that Smith will play against the Raiders. "He s making progress," said Linehan. "... We're very positive about him being ready to go." Smith is a top-20 fantasy option against a Raiders defense that allowed Ryan Grant's best game of the season last week.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was participating in team drills at the beginning of Lions' practice Thursday.

This doesn't mean that Smith will participate fully in practice, but he continues to trend in the right direction. He emerged from Wednesday's light work in fine shape and says his mobility is much better this week than last. For now, Smith appears on track to play against the Raiders Sunday.

Kevin Smith (ankle) said he likely will be available for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Smith took some handoffs and ran routes at practice Wednesday before leaving to work with trainers. He said his ankle "felt good," adding that he could move and cut better than last week. It sounds like Smith is on track to be a high-risk, high-reward kind of fantasy play this week.

Updating a previous item, Kevin Smith (ankle) was held out of Lions practice Wednesday.

A previous report hinted that Smith would participate because he was present for the start of Wednesday's practice. Instead, he spent the day working with trainers. In recent weeks, the key day for Smith's game-day availability has been Thursday. If he practices tomorrow and rebounds well enough to get in reps on Friday, Smith should be the Lions' starter against the Raiders.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was participating in Lions practice Wednesday.

Kevin Smith (ankle) said he expects to play in Week 15.

Smith didn't even test his ankle before Sunday's game against the Vikings, instead opting for a week of rest. "It's gotten a lot better with the time, resting, a lot of treatment. So I should be good to go," he said. If active, Smith figures to be a workhorse for the Lions. Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams are well below average as NFL running backs.

Kevin Smith (ankle) is not expected to play in Week 14 against the Vikings.

Smith was limited in practice on Friday and Saturday and may have suffered a setback. The Lions will go with a committee of Maurice Morris, Keiland Williams, and Aaron Brown this week. Morris is Rotoworld's 28th ranked running back.

Kevin Smith (ankle, questionable) was listed as "limited" after participating sparingly in Friday's practice.

The reliable Lions beat writers don't expect Smith to play against the Vikings, but coach Jim Schwartz isn't ruling him out. "Last week he was able to do some things in the game, you know, wasn't able to last the whole game," said Schwartz. "... I think that we'll just see when we get to Sunday. I know that if he's available to help us, he will be, but we also need to make sure that he's helping the team by being out there."

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press does not expect Kevin Smith (ankle) to be active for Week 14.

The Lions are expected to roll with Maurice Morris, Keiland Williams, and perhaps Aaron Brown against the Vikings. Fantasy owners should hope that Smith capitalizes on the time off so that he can get closer to full health for Week 15 against the Raiders. He obviously needs to be on benches this week.

Kevin Smith (ankle) returned to practice on Friday.

Smith has his helmet on and is going through warmups, so it looks like he's going to give it a go. His status for Sunday's game will be determined by how his ankle responds to the rigors of practice. Check back later in the day for an update.

According to beat writer Dave Birkett, it's "clear" that Kevin Smith's ankle isn't feeling as good as it was last week with 10 days of rest.

Smith is optimistic about playing this week, but it's hard to imagine him taking a full workload at this point. He concedes that he'll have to practice Friday "to give myself the confidence that I can make certain movements and certain cuts to be able to produce on gameday." Unless Friday's practice reports are glowing, we'd steer clear versus the Vikings.

Kevin Smith (ankle) "hopes" to practice on Friday.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was not participating in Lions practice Thursday.

Kevin Smith (ankle) was not participating at Lions practice Wednesday.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz was noncommittal when asked about Kevin Smith's (ankle) Week 14 status at his Monday press conference.

Schwartz did say the Lions expected something to "come up" with Smith's ankle against the Saints, and that he doesn't believe "he's in a worse spot" than he was last week. Even before Smith crumpled to the ground untouched Sunday, he was having great difficulty cutting, and appeared nowhere near 100 percent. His status will be updated Wednesday, if not sooner.

Kevin Smith has confirmed he aggravated his "high" ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Saints.

We have "high" in quotation marks because it's still uncertain if that's what Smith has actually been dealing with, or if the Lions are just playing fast and loose with injury terminology. Typically, a player would not be active just 10 days after suffering a high-ankle sprain. Smith also confirmed he was playing hurt even before leaving tonight's game, saying he couldn't cut. That was apparent to the naked eye even though he managed to rack up 80 yards on only 12 touches. His status will be updated at coach Jim Schwartz's Monday press conference.

Kevin Smith was forced from Sunday night's game against the Saints in the third quarter with an aggravation of his right ankle injury.

Smith was injured attempting to cut at the end of a nine-yard catch. He was able to jog off the field under his own power, but was seen angrily throwing his equipment on the sideline, an indication his night is likely through. Despite obviously being at far less than 100 percent, Smith was again racking up yards, going for 80 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on just 12 touches.

Kevin Smith (ankle) is active for Sunday night's game against the Saints.

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