Will Smith tears knee ligament taking off shoe

Will Smith (Getty Images) Brewers reliever Will Smith is expected to miss "significant time" to start the season after tearing the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in a freak accident.

The left-hander was attempting to take off his baseball cleats Thursday after a minor league game. Standing on his right leg, he pulled at the shoe on his left foot. The shoe stayed on, and his right knee twisted awkwardly.

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"I pulled hard (on the shoe) and it stayed on," Smith told reporters Saturday. "My knee just went up and popped. Everyone tells you there is nothing you can do about it, but you still feel like you are letting…