In a method for detecting symbols in a signal received via a communication channel, the signal including a plurality of signal points, each signal point in the plurality of signal points is processed using a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) to produce a DFE decision. Reliability of the DFE decision is assessed to determine whether the DFE decision is at least one of i) reliable or ii) not reliable. When it is determined that the DFE decision is not reliable, a block of signal points of the plurality of signal points is processed using a Viterbi Detector (VD) to generate a block of VD decisions. The block of VD decisions is selected to be used in place of a block of DFE decisions.