Keiland

Williams

They’re essentially competing for snaps on Sunday with Jahvid Best (concussion) not expected to play. Ronnie Brown hasn’t joined practice yet, but is expected to do so Thursday after passing his physical. Morris is slated to draw the start against the Falcons, but he’s going to be a timeshare back in Week 7.

So one day after being sent to the Lions for Harrison and a 2013 seventh-round pick, Brown will remain an Eagle while Harrison stays in Detroit. It’s a blow for the Lions, who were seeking a bigger back than Harrison to fill in while Jahvid Best is sidelined with a concussion. Brown now goes back to waiver-wire fodder in fantasy leagues, while it’s unclear whom might fill in for Best this weekend. Keiland Williams and Maurice Morris shared first-team practice reps Wednesday. Harrison was a (supposedly) healthy scratch in Week 6.

Williams didn’t enter the game until 11 minutes left in the second quarter. He did have one shot at a touchdown, but was stuffed on the goal-line one play after Maurice Morris failed to get in. The Lions hope to have Jahvid Best back in Week 10, so Williams is droppable in all formats.

With Maurice Morris limited severely by a chest injury, Williams handled the feature back job for the majority of three quarters. He got what was blocked, but the 230-pounder has no explosion or burst. Only the most desperate of owners should consider an add heading into next week’s game at Oakland. Morris’ injury does not appear serious.

The Lions came out with an aggressive pass-heavy attack, and the Saints successfully played keep-away in the second half. As a result, the ground game was an afterthought. Neither Maurice Morris nor Keiland Williams touched the ball. Although the impending free agent seems likely to return to Detroit as a coaching staff favorite, Smith’s role is up in the air with Jahvid Best (concussions) and Mikel Leshoure (Achilles) returning.

According to beat writer Dave Birkett, though, Smith “didn’t do much of anything” in the media-access portion of practice. Keiland Williams actually took some first-team reps, allowing for zero clarity in the Detroit backfield. Check back Friday afternoon to see if Smith increased his workload in the closed portion of practice.

Per beat reporter Chris McCosky, Smith was “moving well” before bowing out of drills to work with trainers. After taking last week off, Smith expects to play against the Raiders on Sunday. And barring a setback, we’re expecting him to start and act as a workhorse. Smith is averaging an impressive 6.9 yards per carry and 9.2 yards per catch with four touchdowns since signing back on with the Lions in Week 10.

Williams’ limited use is noteworthy because it came on a night where Kevin Smith aggravated his ankle injury early in the second half. Maurice Morris carried the load after Smith went down. Although Williams will undoubtedly be in line for more touches if Smith can’t give it a go in Week 14, he’s an extremely low-upside flier in all formats.

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.

OC Scott Linehan said Smith “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.