Lions add RB Smith, OL Davis to roster

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- If he's at his best, Kevin Smith can give the Lions a much needed young running back with fresh legs, experience and the hunger of being out of football for a half season. Smith, a third-round draft pick by the Lions in 2008 who was not brought back at the start of this season, practiced with the team on Tuesday one day after returning as a free agent. The running back position has been hit hard by injuries and bad luck since early in training camp. Smith, who was productive if unspectacular in his first two seasons in Detroit, can help fill a void in the Lions' drive to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Offensive lineman Leonard Davis also practiced on Monday. Davis signed on Monday. Here is the immediate breakdown on Smith and Davis: Smith: There is a more immediate need at running back because of the uncertain status of Jahvid Best created by a concussion. Best missed the last two games before the bye and did not practice Tuesday. There was a report Tuesday that Best already has been declared out for Sunday's game at Chicago, but coach Jim Schwartz would not comment either way on it in his post-practice press conference. Smith rushed for 978 yards and scored 8 touchdowns as a rookie in 2008. He ran for 747 yards in the first 13 games in '09 before going out with a season-ending knee injury. Best's arrival as a first-round draft pick last year, and residual effects of coming back from the knee injury, reduced Smith's role and playing time last year. He played in only six games and carried 34 times for 133 yards. He ended the season on injured reserve for the second straight year. Smith became a restricted free agent this season and was notified by General Manager Martin Mayhew that he would not be re-signed. The Lions worked out 24 players while on their bye last week. Davis and Smith were the only two signed. Smith's signing was based more on an impressive workout than an immediate need, Schwartz said. "Honestly, in his case we really hadn't planned on signing anybody," Schwartz said. "Kevin looked so good, ran well, moved well, is in great shape. He's been a productive player for us when he been on the field." Smith may have benefited physically from not being on a team. However, it was an expensive rehabilitation period because he wasn't on any team's payroll. "One of the silver linings in this is, it gave his body time to heal," Schwarz said. "We sort of know what we have when he's healthy." Smith said he worked out for "five or six teams" since the start of the season but remained unsigned until this week. "Obviously, I'm healthy and I've had a humbling experience," he said. "I've been away from the game for eight weeks and not knowing if I'm going to play in this league and still being young. "It humbles you. A second chance -- you don't want to mess that up." Spending the last two seasons in offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system is an advantage because Smith won't have to learn a new offense. He's not sure how much he can play Sunday in Chicago. "I just got off the sofa like five days ago," he said. "I know the offense, but it's going to take time for me to play fast, get the calls. The general playbook, I've got down pretty good. "I'm the freshest guy in the NFL." Davis: His size (6-5 and 355 pounds) and 10 years experience with the Cardinals and Cowboys should be a plus. Davis started 155 of a possible 160 games in six seasons with the Cardinals (2001-'06) and the last four with the Cowboys (2007-'10). He started all 64 games with the Cowboys. Davis has started at right tackle and right guard, with more experience at guard. The Lions' five-man starting unit has been intact, except for two games when Corey Hilliard started at right tackle in place of Gosder Cherilus. Cherilus has regained his job. Davis and the Cowboys reportedly parted ways over finances. Davis did not sound like he is ready to play immediately. "I can't come in here and expected to be on the field next week or the week after," Davis said. "It's all trust. I've got to learn the system and be comfortable and they have faith in me."