ALLEN PARK -- Coming back from major ACL knee surgery is a tough chore, possibly moreso for running backs. Kevin Smith proved he’s back on Sunday when he was the running back on the field late in the Lions 35-27 win over the Washington Redskins.

Smith and rookie Jahvid Best each had a dozen carries in the game. Smith accumulated 51 yards, while Best had 48. It couldn’t have been much closer. Best also had five receptions for 31 yards while Smith had a pair for 16 yards.

Certainly it wasn’t a perfect running effort for the Lions (102 rushing yards) but they did manage to get the job done. Still, they had trouble running the ball on first down which is something that needs to be addressed.

But it was a good game to prove Smith is back.

“He’s been waiting for a game like this to come out and do something,’’ center Dominic Raiola said.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)