Kevin Smith sees reminders everywhere of the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in December.
The scar on his left knee. The brace he wears on the field. Even the first-round pick who sits a couple of stalls away in the Lions' locker room.
Smith returned from December knee surgery Saturday to play 12 snaps in an exhibition win over the Denver Broncos. He carried three times, gained 6 yards, and pronounced himself "close" to 100% on Monday.
"Some days, I can wake up and forget I even had the surgery," Smith said. "Some days, I can wake up and wonder how I'm going to get through the day. That just comes the part with an ACL. But it'll get better. In four months, when I'm a year out, I'll feel better. Next off-season, I should feel great."
Kevin Smith's fantasy value is limited. At best, he will be a change of pace RB for the Lions offense.