ZA'DARIUS SMITH NEWS

Browns to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Za’Darius Smith from Vikings

Pro Bowl pass rusher Za'Darius Smith is heading from Minnesota to Cleveland as the Browns try to fix what was a disappointing unit.

MAY 13, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

The Browns trade pair of late-round 2025 picks for Pro Bowl EDGE Za'Darius Smith Cleveland sent two Day 3 picks to Minnesota in exchange for Smith and two later Day 3 picks

MAY 13, 2023 • USATODAY.COM

Return to form in 2022 Over 16 regular-season games in 2022, Smith accumulated 44 tackles (32 solo), including 10 sacks, and a career-high five passes defended in his first campaign with the Vikings.

Impact Smith played all but one regular-season game in 2022 after he missed nearly all of the 2021 campaign with Green Bay while recovering from back surgery. The 30-year-old edge rusher was still limited to his fewest number of defensive snaps (735) since the 2018 season, as he regularly appeared on the weekly injury report while dealing with a knee issue. While his production also slowed with just one-half sack over the final eight weeks of the regular season, he did log double-digit sacks for the third time in his career. Smith formed an effective pass-rushing duo in his first season alongside Danielle Hunter (10.5 sacks). However, it's unclear if this pairing will be kept together since the Vikings are currently $24.5 million over the cap heading into 2023.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not listed on injury report Smith isn't listed on the Vikings injury report Wednesday.

Impact Smith was inactive for the Vikings' regular-season finale due to personal reasons, but it appears he's back with the team and should suit up for Sunday's wild-card matchup against the Giants. In his first season with Minnesota, Smith has recorded 10 sacks across 16 appearances.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive against Chicago Smith (personal) is inactive for Sunday's regular season finale against Chicago, Andrew Kramer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Impact Smith traveled with the team but did not warm up and will not play. The Vikings may be playing it safe with Smith's health ahead of the playoffs.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable, but expected to play Smith (personal) is questionable for Sunday's matchup in Chicago, but he's still expected to play against the Bears, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Impact Per Goessling, it's unclear if Smith will travel with the team to Chicago, but the star pass rusher is expected to join the Vikings before Sunday's game. After recording 9.5 sacks over his first nine appearances with Minnesota, Smith has mustered just half a sack across the past seven games.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

No injury designation Smith (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation for Thursday's game against the Patriots, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Smith was limited at practice Monday and Tuesday, but he was a full participant Wednesday and will be available for the Vikings' matchup against New England. Over the last four games, he's tallied 15 tackles (12 solo), including four sacks, and four pass defenses.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starts week limited Smith (knee) was listed as limited on Monday's injury report, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.

Impact Smith was dealing with the injury heading into Sunday's loss against the Cowboys, but he did play through it. Considering the team only held a walkthrough Monday, his listing is just an estimate. However, if Smith is unable to play Thursday against the Patriots, D.J. Wonnum likely would be in line for extra opportunities.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Active Week 11 Smith (knee) has been ruled active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

Impact Smith picked up a knee contusion during the Vikings' win over Buffalo in Week 10, leaving him limited in practice ahead of Sunday's contest against Dallas. However, the 30-year-old will suit up as previously expected, and he should reprise a prominent pass-rushing role opposite Danielle Hunter.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On track to play Sunday Smith (knee) is officially listed as questionable, but he's expected to play Sunday against the Cowboys, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith has yet to miss a game this season and is on track to maintain that streak in Week 11, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues should still confirm the linebacker's status before locking him into lineups. The Vikings don't kick off until 4:25 p.m. ET, so ideally, Minnesota will release further context on Smith's status before the first wave of games Sunday.

NOVEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings' Za'Darius Smith makes his case for NFL awards with sacks and a smile The linebacker, who leads the team in sacks and the league in quarterback pressures entering Sunday's game vs. Dallas, says he's having the...

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Deemed questionable for Sunday Smith (knee) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Impact Smith suffered a knee contusion during Minnesota's Week 10 win over Buffalo and was limited throughout Week 11 prep. If the star pass rusher is sidelined, D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones would be candidates for increased roles.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again Thursday Smith (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Smith has now logged back-to-back limited sessions to open Week 11 prep, after he sustained a knee contusion during last Sunday's win over the Bills. The veteran pass rusher will have one more opportunity Friday to ramp back up to full speed, otherwise he'll carry an injury designation heading into Sunday's game versus the Cowboys. If Smith is unable to gain medical clearance before the weekend, then D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones would be in line for additional snaps.

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with knee injury after win Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said that Smith is dealing with a knee contusion following Sunday's 33-30 overtime win against the Bills, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press...

Impact Smith once again played a large role in Minnesota's pass rush, as he knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage and sacked quarterback Josh Allen for a 13-yard loss before going down with this knee late in the fourth quarter. The 30-year-old remained down on the field for some time but was eventually able to walk off under his own power, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. While Smith never received an official injury designation before the end of overtime, it will be worth monitoring his status heading into next Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

NOVEMBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NFL midseason poll: MVP, Rookies of the Year, DPOY, Super Bowl picks

FOX Sports' staff of NFL writers voted on a variety of midseason awards and made predictions about which teams will face off in Super Bowl L...

NOVEMBER 9, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Goes off against Cardinals Smith recorded seven tackles, including three sacks, and one pass defensed during Sunday's 34-26 win over the Cardinals.

Impact Although Smith was temporarily forced out of Sunday's contest with a knee issue, that didn't stop him from wreaking havoc on Arizona's offensive line en route to seven tackles and an impressive three sacks. The veteran is now tied with Matthew Judon as the NFL's sack leader with 8.5, despite having played one fewer game. Smith will look to keep momentum churning Sunday in Washington.

NOVEMBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings defense closes out Cardinals, leads change in narrative in tight games

Minnesota recorded two interceptions in critical moments to keep the team's unbeaten streak in one-score games intact.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

Returns versus Arizona Smith (knee) returned to Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith exited shortly before the end of the second quarter with a knee injury, though he was able to return on the opening series of the second half. The veteran pass rusher recorded four tackles including two sacks in the first half against Arizona.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Exits Sunday Smith is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a left knee injury.

Impact Smith previously injured his left knee during the Vikings' Week 3 win against Detroit, though it's unclear if he aggravated this previous issue in Sunday's contest. According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, the 30-year-old also went to the locker room shortly before the end of the first half. With Smith out, expect Patrick Jones and D.J. Wonnum to see increased usage opposite Danielle Hunter.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Full go Thursday Smith (knee) was listed as a full participant on the Vikings' injury report Thursday.

Impact Smith logged his first full practice since picking up a knee injury at some point following Minnesota's Week 3 win over Detroit. The pass rusher played 35 defensive snaps in Sunday's game against the Bears, but he was still limited during practice Wednesday. Smith has recorded 3.5 sacks over five games this season, and he should have a solid opportunity to increase this sack total against Miami in Week 6, now that he appears to be fully healthy again.

OCTOBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again Wednesday Smith (knee) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's injury report.

Impact Smith managed to suit up for Sunday's win against Chicago despite being limited with a knee injury for the second week in a row. The 30-year-old linebacker also saw his snap share jump back up in Week 5, as he played 74 percent of Minnesota's defensive snaps compared to just 39 percent in Week 4. Smith has recorded 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks through his first five games with the Vikings, and he should continue to be an effective pass rusher if he can stay healthy moving forward.

OCTOBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Sunday Smith doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Bears.

Impact Smith was limited at practices throughout the week, but he'll still be good to go for Week 5. The star pass rusher was listed as questionable ahead of the team's Week 4 win over the Saints due to the same knee issue and played a season-low 39 percent of the defensive snaps. Given he doesn't have an injury designation this week, it's safe to assume Smith won't be on a snap count during Sunday's divisional matchup.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Limited in practice Wednesday Smith (knee) was listed as a limited participant on the Vikings' injury report Wednesday.

Impact Smith was listed questionable before suiting up for Minnesota's Week 3 contest against New Orleans, recording one sack while playing 39 percent of the team's defensive snaps. The 30-year-old tallied eight tackles, including two sacks, while playing at least 72 percent of defensive snaps over the first three weeks of the season, so his status will be worth monitoring heading into Sunday's game against Chicago.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Active for London game Smith (knee) is active for Sunday's contest against the Saints.

Impact Smith was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup in London, but he will take the field against Andy Dalton. New Orleans is operating with a depleted offense, as Alvin Kamara (ribs) and Michael Thomas (foot) are both out, not to mention Jameis Winston (back). That should put Smith in good position for success even if his reps end up being limited.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE