GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Knee injuries suffered by two Green Bay Packers players in a blowout win over the Houston Texans in Week 6 last season have cost both of them a spot on the team's roster.
Most notably, the Packers released inside linebacker D.J. Smith, who started six games for Green Bay in 2012 before tearing his ACL. Smith stepped into the starting lineup for Desmond Bishop, who missed the entire year with a torn hamstring. In his six starts, Smith had two sacks and 39 tackles.
Smith, a sixth-round pick by the Packers in 2011, looked like a promising player. With the most likely scenario being that Smith was not recovering well from the knee injury, Green Bay parted ways with him. Fortunately for the Packers' defense, they are getting back Bishop and recently re-signed inside linebacker Brad Jones -- who was Smith's replacement -- to a new contract.
Green Bay also released Brandon Sane after the 24-year-old running back failed his physical. Saine, who went undrafted out of Ohio State in 2011, also tore his ACL in that same game in Houston.
Though Saine is listed as a running back, he spent all of his time on special teams during the 2012 season. He carried the ball 18 times as a rookie for 69 yards.
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