Lions Place CB Alphonso Smith on IR

The Detroit Lions have placed cornerback Alphonso Smith on injured reserve, reports Tom Kowalski of MLive.com.

Acquired before the start of the regular season from the Denver Broncos, Smith has started 10 of 12 games this season, totaling 39 tackles and a team-high five interceptions before suffering a serious shoulder injury in Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears.

Smith was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second-round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Wake Forest.

To replace Smith, the Lions have signed cornerback Prince Miller off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.

Miller (5-9, 198) signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia. Miller had 9 tackles, 2 passes defensed, and averaged 13.8 yards on 10 punt returns before he was waived at the end of training camp.

Signed to the New England Patriots’ practice squad, the Ravens re-signed Miller to their active roster, where he was inactive for three weeks before being released and re-signed to their practice squad.

Per the collective bargaining agreement, Miller is guaranteed three game-checks from the Lions, but will likely remain with the club through the end of the season.