Coming into the 2009 season, Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith had high expectations.

In his rookie season of 2008, Smith, a fourth-round draft pick out of Central Florida, rushed for 976 yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries for an average of 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 39 passes for 206 yards despite being a reserve the first few weeks of the season.

But with the Lions offense in disarray most of the year, Smith did not get off to the fast start he wanted. He rushed for 101 yards in the third game of the season, a victory over Washington, but did not have more than 83 in any other game.

Then, in Week 14, he suffered a non-contact injury and tore his ACL in a loss to Baltimore. He had rushed for 69 yards in the game prior to the injury.

“When it happened it was the worst thing I ever felt,” Smith said. “The pain was literally breathtaking. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. No one touched me, it was a non-contact injury, but I knew when I fell that I messed something up in my knee. I didn’t know what I did exactly but I knew it was something serious, because I’ve played through a lot of injuries and I had never felt anything like that.

“It was heartbreaking. It took me about 24 hours to get my mind back together, and now I’m in good spirits and just anxious to get through my rehab and come back stronger than ever.”

Smith finished the season with 747 yards on 217 carries (3.4 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. With rushing yards hard to come by, he ended up catching more balls out of the backfield. He finished with 41 receptions for 415 yards and a touchdown, including four catches for 104 yards and a 63-yard TD in a 38-37 victory over Cleveland on Nov. 22.

With the Detroit Lions passing game in disarray (to say the least) last season, one bright spot stood out for the offense:

Rookie running back Kevin Smith.

Smith, a fourth-round draft pick out of Central Florida, rushed for 976 yards and eight touchdowns on 238 carries for an average of 4.1 yards per carry. He also caught 39 passes for 206 yards.

All that despite not being handed the starting job until after the first few weeks of the season.

This year, with the passing game still a question mark due to the past inefficiency of starter Daunte Culpepper and the inexperience of rookie (and future franchise savior) Matthew Stafford, Smith might be relied upon even more heavily to carry the Lions offense.

Smith said he will be ready to carry a heavy load this season.

“I’m working on my NFL strength, definitely my speed and explosiveness, and now I know how to prepare for games,” Smith said. “Lions fans can expect everything I’ve got, a hard worker every Sunday who is going to put on a show and get our fans as many wins as possible.”

Even one would be an improvement over 2008.

The Lions open their season Sunday, Sept. 13 against the Saints in New Orleans.