Za'Darius Smith - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Ready for Sunday Smith (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith missed the Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Bears due to a neck injury. The outside linebacker is set to suit up after a one-game absence. The veteran pass rusher's return will boost the rotational efficiency of the Falcons' defensive line as he rotates in when Samson Ebukam or Cameron Thomas needs to rest.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Sunday Smith (neck) is questionable but expected to play against the 49ers on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Smith earned the questionable tag for Week 7 after an LP-LP-FP practice log, but it looks like the veteran pass rusher will return from a one-game absence due to a neck injury. His would return would give the Falcons a boost at the edge rusher position, especially if Samson Ebukam (hamstring) is not cleared to play.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged as questionable after full practice Smith (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith opened the week with back-to-back limited practices before logging a full session Friday. He's working through a neck injury that forced him to be sidelined for Week 6 against the Bears, and his status for Sunday's contest may not be officially known until the Falcons announce their list of inactive players about 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Smith's return would bolster the Falcons' depth at the edge rusher position behind Samson Ebukam (hamstring) and Cameron Thomas.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Morris returns to Atlanta, leading a 49ers defense that will try to pressure Falcons QB Penix

Former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris will return to Atlanta as undefeated San Francisco's defensive coordinator when the 49ers face the Falcons

OCTOBER 22 • Associated Press

Ready for Sunday Smith (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Impact Smith was limited in Friday's practice with a neck injury after clearing concussion protocol Thursday. The outside linebacker has navigated the discomfort in time for Sunday's contest and is all set to suit up on the edge against the Bears.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Draws questionable tag for Week 6 Smith (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith cleared concussion protocol Thursday, but his practice reps have been limited by a neck issue. The veteran pass rusher will continue to get treatment over the weekend, but if he's not cleared to play Sunday, then Jared Ivey would be the lone rotational option behind starters Samson Ebukam and Cameron Thomas.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Clears concussion protocol Smith (neck) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith's status on Atlanta's official injury report changed from "concussion/neck" to just "neck" Thursday, signaling he has cleared league concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game versus the Bears. With that said, his availability for Week 6 is still up in the air due to the neck issue, and he may have to log a full practice Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.

OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

'I’ve Sat Out Enough': Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. On Track to Start vs. Bears

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is on track to start for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6 against the Chicago Bears.

OCTOBER 14 • FOX SPORTS

'I’ve Sat Out Enough': Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. On Track to Start vs. Bears

Won't play against Baltimore Smith (concussion/neck) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith entered the league's concussion protocol during the Falcons' Week 4 win over the Saints on Monday. He drew the questionable tag after practicing in a limited capacity Friday, but it looks like he won't clear protocol before Sunday's game. Samson Ebukam (hamstring) is also listed as questionable, so Jared Ivey, Bralen Trice and Cameron Thomas are all in line for more defensive snaps against Baltimore. Smith's next chance to play is Week 6 against the Bears on Sunday, Oct. 18.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with concussion Smith (concussion/neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith was a limited participant in Friday's practice as he continues to deal with a concussion he suffered in the Falcons' win over the Saints on Monday. The linebacker still needs to be cleared for full contact by an independent neurologist. If the 34-year-old still has concussion symptoms Saturday, he will not be able to suit up for Sunday's game.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Bijan Robinson's big production and efficient play from Michael Penix Jr. sparks Falcons' turnaround

The Atlanta Falcons’ running game has taken the pressure off quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in his return to the starting offense

OCTOBER 6 • Associated Press

Hello, Atlanta, Michael Penix & Bijan Robinson: 3 Takeaways From Falcons Win vs. Saints

All of a sudden, the Falcons appear to have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Here are our takeaways from their win over the Saints.

OCTOBER 6 • FOX SPORTS

Hello, Atlanta, Michael Penix & Bijan Robinson: 3 Takeaways From Falcons Win vs. Saints

Bijan Robinson powers Falcons past Saints 45-24 on the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening

Bijan Robinson has led the Atlanta Falcons to a dominant win over the New Orleans Saints

OCTOBER 6 • Associated Press

Ruled out with concussion Smith (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday night's game against the Saints, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith exited the contest in the first quarter after being down on the field for several minutes. An independent neurologist ruled that the outside linebacker had sustained a concussion, and he will not be allowed to return to the game. Smith will now enter the league's five-step protocol to return to full contact play.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Being checked for concussion Smith (neck) is being evaluated for a possible question and is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Saints, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith took a knee to the helmet early in the first quarter and was down on the field for several minutes, but the veteran pass rusher was able to jog off the field and into the blue medical tent. Cameron Thomas and Yasir Abdullah should both see more defensive snaps for as long as Smith is on the sidelines being evaluated by medical staff.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Za'Darius Smith is Mic'd Up in a Thursday Night victory against the Green Bay Packers Za'Darius Smith is mic'd up as the Atlanta Falcons defeat the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Falcons' Za'Darius Smith is bound to thrive in mini-homecoming against Packers Za'Darius Smith and the Atlanta Falcons' pass rush are about to go ham against the Packers in Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 24 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Falcons hoping Penix's return sparks their offense as they visit the Packers

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s return comes at a time when the winless Atlanta Falcons need someone to provide a jolt for their lifeless offense

SEPTEMBER 23 • Associated Press

Za'Darius Smith is already helping the Falcons enforce a culture on defense Veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith is bringing plenty of personality to the Atlanta Falcons' defense, and apparently that now includes host...

SEPTEMBER 17 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

It took 1 game for Za'Darius Smith to prove the Falcons right for signing him One game with the Atlanta Falcons was all it took for Za'Darius Smith to turn back the clock a half-decade.

SEPTEMBER 15 • BLOGGINGDIRTY.COM

Falcons' quarterback questions persist after shaky effort by Cooper Rush in opening loss to Steelers

The Atlanta Falcons’ opening loss at Pittsburgh only added more uncertainty to the quarterback question that has persisted since the start of training camp

SEPTEMBER 14 • Associated Press

Atlanta Falcons players Za'Darius Smith and Brandon Dorlus speak to the media | Press Conference Atlanta Falcons players Za'Darius Smith and Brandon Dorlus address the media ahead of week 2 versus the Carolina Panthers.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

Cleared to play Week 1 Smith (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Impact Smith was working through a shoulder issue this past week and drew the questionable tag for Week 1, but he was trending in the right direction after fully participating in Friday's practice. The veteran edge rusher has been given the green light to play Sunday, and he should see a healthy workload given the absences of both Jalon Walker (knee) and James Pearce (suspension).

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Looks likely to play Sunday Smith (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Unless he experiences a setback leading up to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Smith looks set to play through the back issue that kept him from practicing Thursday and limited his participation Wednesday. With Jalon Walker (knee) out for the season and James Pearce suspended for the first eight games of the campaign, the Falcons will be counting on the 34-year-old Smith to serve as a key pass rusher.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss Week 1 Smith (Shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Impact Smith is dealing with a shoulder injury and was unable to practice throughout the week. It is unclear how long the starting outside linebacker will be out. The Falcons will need to lean on depth during Sunday's contest, meaning Cameron Thomas and Jared Ivey will likely see an increased snap share opposite Samson Ebukam.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

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