Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden has a number of issues that are facing his team as it prepares for their 11th game of the season on Sunday at Detroit. Yesterday, the Bucs enjoyed the return to practice of two starters in tight end Alex Smith and Jermaine Phillips. On Thursday, those only one of them was able to participate in practice.

"The only guys that were unable to practice were Alex Smith and Brian Griese," said Gruden. "Jermaine Phillips was limited."

Gruden was asked if Smith is a long shot to play on Sunday at Detroit.

"Based on today, I'd say that," said Gruden. "But we'll give him another day and see how he feels."

On Wednesday, the team placed starting running back Earnest Graham on injured reserve ending his season with an ankle injury. The team signed free agent running back Noah Herron to provide depth at running back, and play on special teams. On Thursday, Gruden indicated that Herron could play on Sunday only days after being added to the team.

"Yeah we sure need some help, that is why he is here," said Gruden. "Rich Bisaccia has been meeting with him, and is trying to teach him the offense, but he is a quick study. He is a smart guy. He played in the league before. His body and size can help us on the punt team and on kickoff coverage. We're evaluating and trying to coach him up and bring him up to speed as soon as we can."

A player that many expected to help replace Graham was fourth-year running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams. After suffering a devastating knee injury in Week 4 of the 2007 season, Williams worked his way back and was added to the active roster last week. Williams was one of the Bucs eight inactive players last Sunday. Gruden responded to whether Williams has a chance to play this week

"Yeah I think so. There is a chance he does," said Gruden. "We are trying to evaluate where we are overall, not just for running backs or special teams. We got an injury right now at tight end and we have a number of injuries that are a concern.

"He'll be given the opportunity when we all agree that it is the right thing to do for our team. It is not all about Cadillac Williams right now. Our team has a number of issues right now. We'll work through it. We like what he's done. We've said that for a long time. There is a chance he is up this week, but we have to evaluate the entire picture here and we are in the process of doing it."

The Buccaneers official injury report had Griese (elbow) and Smith (ankle) as not participating in practice. Phillips (forearm) was the only player listed as limited in practice. The Bucs had three players on the injury report as full practice participants: running back Warrick Dunn (back), wide receiver Ike Hilliard (shoulder), and guard Arron Sears (shoulder).

The Detroit Lions had a long list of players on their injury report. Not practicing were: wide receiver Mike Furrey (concussion), quarterback Dan Orlovsky (hand), center Dominic Raiola (hand), cornerback Keith Smith (groin), defensive end and Dewayne White (calf). Limited in practice were: wide receiver Calvin Johnson (quad), running back Rudi Johnson (knee), guard Edwin Mulitalo (knee), defensive tackle Ikaika Alama-Francis (concussion), defensive end Jared DeVries (hand), fullback Jerome Felton (ankle), defensive tackle Cory Redding (groin), safety Dwight Smith (foot), running back Kevin Smith (groin), and cornerback Brian Kelly (ankle). Safety Kalvin Pearson (shoulder) was the only Lion on the injury report that was listed as full participation. According to reports in the Detroit media, Furrey and White are not expected to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.