ZA'DARIUS SMITH NEWS

Suiting up Week 1 Smith (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints in Jacksonville, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.

Impact Smith entered training camp on the non-football injury list due to a back issue that kept him on the sideline in the preseason. Coach Matt LaFleur revealed Aug. 22 that there was a chance Smith wouldn't be available Week 1, and those odds remained even after he followed an LP/LP/DNP practice regimen this week. That said, Smith was able to prove he can play through his injury and will be a part of the Packers' pass rush Sunday along with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Sunday Smith (back) is expected to play Sunday against New Orleans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Final confirmation of Smith's Week 1 status will arrive once the Packers' inactives are submitted prior to the team's 4:25 ET kickoff, but it appears as though Green Bay's standout pass rusher will give it a go Sunday, barring any setbacks.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Looking 50/50 for Sunday Smith (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New Orleans, with coach Matt LaFleur saying Friday that the Packers will "give [Smith] the next 48 hours to prove h...

Impact The absence Friday followed limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, with Smith appearing truly questionable all along. He now needs to be treated as a game-time decision for his matchup with arguably the best offensive tackle duo in the NFL (Saints LT Terron Armstead and RT Ryan Ramczyk). Rashan Gary should get more snaps off the edge if Smith ultimately is ruled out before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Increases practice reps Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith said Smith (back) increased his number of reps at Thursday's practice, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Impact Smith has logged back-to-back limited showings in practice this week, but his snap count bumped up from 7-to-10 on Wednesday to approximately 18 one day later. Earlier this week, coach Matt LaFleur noted the Packers wanted to see how Smith held up on the field before making a final call on his status for Week 1 against the Saints. Due to Thursday's development, Smith may have a better shot to suit up Sunday than he did when the week began.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Officially limited Wednesday Smith (back) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Smith spent a good portion of training camp on the non-football injury list due to a back issue, and even after the Packers activated the pass rusher on Aug. 16 coach Matt LaFleur noted that he was uncertain whether he'd be ready for Week 1. Not much has changed since then, with LaFleur telling Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette that Smith would work "in a limited capacity" Wednesday, but the coach wants him to put together back-to-back sessions without issue before making a call for Sunday's game against the Saints in Jacksonville. As a result, Smith's activity level Thursday may be telling for his availability this weekend.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Status for Week 1 in question Coach Matt LaFleur said Smith (back) may be unavailable Week 1 at New Orleans, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith spent most of training camp on the non-football injury list due to a back issue, but the Packers activated him this past Monday. He has yet to make an appearance in the preseason, though, and LaFleur is unsure of the pass rusher's early season availability. "It definitely is a concern," LaFleur said of the current injury, which now may not be to his back. Smith has been eminently productive through two seasons in Green Bay, totaling 107 tackles, 26 sacks, five force fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two pass defenses in 32 games.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from NFI list The Packers activated Smith (back) from the non-football injury list Monday, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.

Impact Smith is participating in Monday's practice, which is a very good sign for his recovery progress. It doesn't appear that the Packers are very concerned about Smith's availability for Week 1, if at all, but it remains to be seen if the 28-year-old will suit up for Saturday's preseason matchup against the Jets.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing back issue Smith is on the non-football injury list with a back injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith opened camp on the NFI list, but the specific injury he's dealing with was previously unspecified. GM Brian Gutekunst indicated it's not a serious injury, so the 28-year-old could make his camp debut relatively soon.

AUGUST 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Injury should be short-term Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said Wednesday that the undisclosed injury that resulted in Smith's placement on the non-football injury list isn't a serious concern, Tom P...

Impact Gutekunst similarly downplayed the injury of cornerback Kevin King, who was also placed on the NFI list earlier this week. Expect Smith and King to return to practice before long.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Starts camp on NFI list Smith (undisclosed) was placed on the Non-Football Injury list Tuesday, Tom Silverstein of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Impact Smith is dealing with an undisclosed injury to begin training camp after coming off one of the best seasons of his career for Green Bay in which he recorded 52 tackles and 12.5 sacks.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could J.J. Watt land at Lambeau Field with the Green Bay Packers?

With his home team possibly in the running to land the star defensive end, could it be a happy homecoming for J.J. Watt?

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

Ready to rock Smith (ankle/thumb) does not carry an injury designation for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Rams, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Impact Smith began the week as a limited participant in practice while nursing a pair of injuries, but he's on track for Saturday's NFC divisional-round contest against the Rams. The star linebacker notched 12.5 sacks across 16 appearances during the regular season.

JANUARY 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as limited participant Smith (ankle/thumb) was a limited participant on Tuesday's practice report.

Impact Smith played through the pair of injuries in the season finale against Chicago, recording 66 defensive snaps and two tackles in the process. The 28-year-old linebacker will be ready for Saturday's playoff game against the Rams barring a setback during the practice week.

JANUARY 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to face Bears Smith (ankle/thumb) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bears, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Smith didn't practice at full speed all week, but he'll be ready to go at game time nonetheless. The 28-year-old has generated 50 tackles and 12.5 sacks through 15 games after setting career highs in both categories last season with 55 and 13.5, respectively.

JANUARY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited at practice Smith (ankle) practiced in limited fashion Wednesday.

Impact Smith has been nursing some nagging injuries for a while, and seeing him limited at practice heading into the regular-season finale is not surprising. Barring any setbacks, he still seems to be trending in the right direction. The Packers are still playing for a first-round bye, so they are unlikely to be resting players.

DECEMBER 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sack in Week 16 Smith recorded two tackles, including a sack, and forced fumble across 35 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Titans.

Impact Smith was dealing with several maladies heading into the contest, as he was nursing ankle, thumb and neck injuries. However, the veteran was able to suit up and boost his season sack total to 12.5 with his takedown of Ryan Tannehill.

DECEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Week 16 Smith (ankle/thumb/neck) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith was limited at practice all week due to the trio of injuries, but he's good to go for Sunday's contest. The 28-year-old continues to be one of the best pass rushers in the league with 48 tackles, 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles through 14 games.

DECEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice Smith (ankle/thumb/neck) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Smith was limited due to both ankle and thumb injuries last week, but his availability to face the Panthers was never truly in danger. It would seem that the same is true for the veteran pass rusher as Sunday's game against the Titans looms, though he's now dealing with a trio of injuries. Still, it'll be worth monitoring Smith's status through Green Bay's final two practices of the week.

DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Tacks on another sack Smith posted three solo tackles and a sack in Sunday's 24-16 win over the Panthers.

Impact Smith made a key sack against Teddy Bridgewater with just 2:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, helping to force the Panthers to settle for a field goal late in the game. The 28-year-old linebacker has now rung up 11.5 sacks this season, and he could surpass last year's career-high 13.5 sacks.

DECEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

In clear for Week 15 Smith (ankle/thumb) does not carry an injury designation heading into Saturday's matchup against the Panthers, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Impact The reigning Pro Bowler never seemed in great danger of missing Saturday night's tilt, having at least been able to contribute limited practice sessions since the start of the week. Smith aims to build upon his second consecutive double-digit-sack season, taking on a Panthers team that has allowed its quarterback to absorb two sacks per game in 2020.

DECEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Limited showing Wednesday Smith (ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice.

Impact Smith, Randy Ramsey (neck) and Rashan Gary (hip) were all linebackers that were limited at Wednesday's practice. The veteran was quiet in Week 14, but he's racked up 45 tackles (30 solo) and 10.5 sacks through 13 games this season. Smith managed his practice reps last week due to the ankle injury but didn't miss the game, so expect him to follow a similar path this week.

DECEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sack total climbs to 10.5 Smith finished with three tackles (two solo) and 1.5 sacks in Sunday's 30-16 win over the Eagles.

Impact Smith capitalized on a favorable matchup against Philadelphia's paper mache offensive line to reach double-digit sacks for the second consecutive season. The standout pass rusher needs three sacks over Green Bay's last four games to reach last year's total of 13.5.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Good to face Philadelphia Smith (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 28-year-old was considered questionable with the ankle issue but is ready to go for Week 13. It's a prime matchup for Smith and Green Bay's pass rush against a Philadelphia offensive line that's surrendered 46 sacks this season.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Status in question for Sunday Smith (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Impact Smith hasn't missed a game this season, and he last carried a questionable tag into the weekend back in Week 6. It's slightly concerning that his status is in question again, but three straight limited practices put him on the right track for Sunday's game. Smith has been outstanding again this season, racking up 42 tackles, nine sacks and three forced fumbles through 11 games. Rashan Gary would step into a heightened role if Smith ends up inactive.

DECEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Held back in practice Smith (ankle) was limited during Thursday's practice session.

Impact Smith pushed his sack total to nine with a takedown of Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on Monday night, but he's made an abrupt appearance on the injury report at midweek. There shouldn't be too much concern just yet, as Smith was similarly labeled as a limited practice participant because of an ankle issue heading into Week 8. He played 90 percent of the defensive workload in that subsequent game against the Vikings, indicating that Green Bay may once again be deploying a cautious approach with their reigning Pro-Bowl pass rusher. Upcoming Week 13 is a matchup against the Eagles.

DECEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE