UPDATED (11:35 p.m. ET): Running back Kevin Smith said after the Lions loss that X-rays on his ankle were negative and that he didn't have a high ankle sprain.
Also, Matthew Stafford said X-rays on his hand were negative and that he would have continued to play if this was the regular season.
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Suddenly, the Lions offense is a mess. An injured mess.
Rapid Reporter John Kreger wrote about the injury to quarterback Matthew Stafford’s non-throwing hand in the second quarter of Saturday’s Lions-Raiders preseason game. That doesn’t sound serious, but soon after that, running back Kevin Smith injured his right ankle early in the third quarter and had to leave the game.
Smith was seen punching a bench when he returned to the sideline after hurting himself.
Smith injured his right ankle last season, but he played an important role on the team after he temporarily was out of football without a job. And he’s set to play a big role this season, especially since Jahvid Best is still on the Physically Unable to Perform list and Mikel Leshoure is suspended for the first two games of the season.
Also injured for the Lions on Saturday were cornerbacks Chris Houston and Bill Bentley.
As for Stafford, here’s what coach Jim Schwartz said at halftime: “He got his hand banged. We’ll see. I think he’s OK.”
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