The Detroit Lions placed veteran running back Kevin Smith on season-ending injured reserve for the second consecutive year and signed linebacker Caleb Campbell off the practice squad in time for Sunday's showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.
*The Detroit Free Press* reported Saturday that the Lions shelved Smith, who injured his thumb during last week's 14-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills, to open up roster room for the season's final stretch.
The Lions officially announced the roster moves Sunday.
Smith had surgery on the thumb Thursday and hoped to shed a hard cast for a splint by next week, according to The Free Press.
Smith, who led the Lions in rushing in 2008 and 2009, missed the first three weeks of this season while on the mend from knee surgery.
Running back Maurice Morris will assume the No. 2 running back role behind starter Jahvid Best.
As Smith's season was ending, Campbell's was just beginning.
"Just got activated! Headed to Dallas. Ill take that!" Campbell tweeted Saturday.
At the time, Army policy would have allowed the West Point graduate to serve as a recruiter if he made the team. A subsequent Department of Defense policy superseded that 2005 Army policy, and Campbell was ordered to give up professional football for "full-time traditional military duties."
Campbell was released from his active duty obligations in May 2010 and joined the Lions' practice squad before the start of this season.
Lions linebackers have fought injuries in recent weeks. Isaiah Ekejiuba (knee) is questionable to play against the Cowboys, and Bobby Carpenter (toe) and DeAndre Levy (groin) are probable.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
