Lions' head coach Wally Buono has made it clear who his starting quarterback will be this week but the future does not appear so clear for running back Joe Smith.
According to the Vancouver Province, Jarious Jackson will start ahead of Buck Pierce but the play of rookie Stefan Logan has led to talk of putting Smith on the trading block.
"Am I going to make decisions on players this week? Yes. I always have to look at ways to improve the team," Buono told the Province when asked about Smith's situation. "As John Wooden said, 'You might be the best player, but with you this might not be the best team. If somebody picked up the phone I'd listen.'"
Logan is averaging over seven yards per carry since taking over the feature back duties when Smith suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2.
In his Week 3 debut, Logan rushed for 143 yards, leading the Lions to their first victory of the season. Meanwhile, Smith raised some eyebrows when he chose to stay home and tend to his garden instead of joining his teammates at B.C. Place. But Buono did not concern himself with Smith's decision at the time.
"He's not accountable to me when it comes to that," said Buono. "He's accountable to himself and his teammates. I don't focus on the players who aren't playing. I focus on the 42 that are."
Before the Lions can talk trade with Smith, the health of Logan and his sprained ankle will have to be assessed. Logan reinjured the ankle in Friday's 40-34 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos, but Buono is not worried about his running back's durability.
"If durability is an issue we use Lyle Green, Rolly Lumbala or Ian Smart on other things," Buono told the Province, making no mention of Smith.
Buono also mentioned that he has been in contact with former Denver Broncos' running back Mike Bell, who was released by the Houston Texans on the weekend. Bell is on the Lions' negotiation list.