LARRY LAGE,AP Sports Writer

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith and tight end Tony Scheffler have collided at practice.

Smith was coming out of the end zone and Scheffler was running a route toward the same end zone when they hit each other hard Wednesday.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Scheffler got up relatively quickly and rolled his neck as he walked back toward the middle of the field.

The 6-1, 217-pound Smith was laying on his stomach for some time before slowly standing up and limping a few steps.

Smith is a starter and Scheffler is also a key player in Detroit’s offense.

The Lions will need both key players to help them compete Saturday night at New Orleans in their first playoff appearance since the 1999 season.

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