ZA'DARIUS SMITH #99 - DEFENSIVE LINEMAN - DETROIT LIONS
24  TCKL  •
0  INT  •
5.5  SCK 
#99 - DEFENSIVE LINEMAN - DETROIT LIONS
24 TCKL
0 INT
5.5 SCK
NFL > DETROIT LIONS >

ZA'DARIUS SMITH NEWS

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GAME LOG

INJURIES

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
Listed as questionable for Sunday Smith (knee) is questionable for Sunday's contest against the Saints.
Impact Smith didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he returned as a limited participant Friday, giving himself a chance to suit up in Week 4. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Smith got reps in team period and did a little bit of everything during his limited session, and while the pass rusher is trending in the right direction, he's going to be a true game-time call ahead of Sunday's 9:30 AM ET kickoff. If Smith is ruled out, D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones and Luiji Vilain would be candidates for increased snaps opposite of Danielle Hunter.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Not practicing Wednesday Smith (knee) didn't practice Wednesday.
Impact Smith played a season-high 61 defensive snaps during the team's Week 3 win over the Lions, but he presumably picked up a knee issue as well. His absence Wednesday is concerning, especially given he's coming off a season-long back injury, but the veteran pass rusher will still have two more opportunities to practice before Minnesota needs to make a decision on his status for Week 4.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Scoggins: Hunter and Smith hold key to Vikings defense as 'safety blanket' if they stay healthy The two have been inseparable on the field since spring workouts. See one, see the other: New besties who hold the key to the Vikings' quest...
JULY 28, 2022 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Ready to make impact in Minnesota Smith (back/undisclosed) is healthy in advance of training camp and looking to make a major impact for Minnesota in 2022, Arif Hasan of The Athletic reports.
Impact Smith missed nearly the entire 2021 campaign due to a back injury and had a four-year deal with the Ravens fall through this offseason due to an issue with his physical. The former All-Pro linebacker also was sidelined during parts of the Vikings' OTA practices for precautionary reasons after sustaining a minor undisclosed injury. Regardless, Smith is healthy now and looking to reclaim his spot as one of the league's top pass rushers during the 2022 season.
JUNE 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Precautionary absence Wednesday Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Smith wasn't at Wednesday's practice for precautionary reasons after sustaining an undisclosed injury, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.
Impact After a deal with the Ravens fell through earlier in the offseason, Smith opted to sign a three-year, $42 million deal with the Vikings. The 29-year-old pass rusher was limited to just two appearances last year due to a back issue, so while his absence Wednesday was labeled as precautionary, his health already bears watching heading into 2022.
JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Headed to Minnesota Smith signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Vikings on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Impact Smith was released by the Packers in mid-March and appeared to have quickly signed a new contract to reunite with the Ravens. However, for an undisclosed reason that deal fell through, so the former All-Pro pass rusher returned to the open market where he was courted by his former team's division rival. Smith missed nearly all of 2021 while recovering from back surgery, but he did return for Green Bay's final playoff game and even recorded a sack during the loss to San Francisco. Before the injury-plagued 2021 campaign, he recorded back-to-back double-digit sack seasons with the Packers and figures to provide a powerful one-two punch with Danielle Hunter (pectoral) during the 2022 campaign.
MARCH 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Back for second stint in Baltimore Smith agreed Wednesday with the Ravens on a four-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Impact The contract reportedly is for $35 million, with another $15 million available in incentives. Smith thus returns to the team that drafted him in the fourth round back in 2015, reaching an agreement with the Ravens just two days after the Packers released him. A back injury (and subsequent surgery) limited Smith to one regular-season game and one playoff game in 2021, but prior to that, he had 13.5 and 12.5 sacks in his first two seasons with the Packers. He'll turn 30 years old in September and is locked in as a starting outside linebacker for Baltimore.
MARCH 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Packers should re-sign Davante Adams & draft a WR to help Green Bay reach Super Bowl

Packers should re-sign Davante Adams & draft a WR to help Green Bay reach Super Bowl

MARCH 10, 2022 • Fox Sports

Green Bay Packers face questions in defensive trenches

The Packers have decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, specifically up front.
FEBRUARY 9, 2022
Green Bay Packers face questions in defensive trenches
Barely plays in 2021 Smith recorded one tackle in his lone regular-season appearance of the 2021 campaign.
Impact After suffering a back injury Week 1 and then undergoing surgery in early October, Smith missed the rest of the regular season, but he returned to action for Green Bay's divisional-round playoff loss to the 49ers. He played 37 percent of defensive snaps in his return, sacking Jimmy Garoppolo during his lone tackle of the game. The Packers have significant salary issues to address this offseason, and Smith's scheduled cap hit of just under $28 million for the 2022 effectively guarantees that to remain with the team, he would need to restructure his deal.
FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Greg Jennings: 'Packers are nowhere close to a rebuild'

Aaron Rodgers does not want to play with a rebuilding franchise. In Greg Jennings' mind, he shouldn't be worried about that.
JANUARY 25, 2022
Greg Jennings: 'Packers are nowhere close to a rebuild'
Activated from injured reserve Smith (back) was activated off injured reserve Friday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.
Impact As expected, Smith will be available for Saturday's divisional matchup with the 49ers. However, it remains unclear what kind of workload he will have. The star pass rusher has been on injured reserve since the season opener and underwent back surgery in late September, so it's a surprise just to see him back on the active roster. The Packers will also be getting back Whitney Mercilus (biceps). In corresponding moves, Green Bay released Isaac Yiadom and Jack Heflin.
JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Expected to play The Packers are expected to activate Smith (back) from injured reserve for Saturday's game against the 49ers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Impact The Packers may get two of their best players back from lengthy absences this week, with CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder) listed as questionable on the final injury report. Alexander last played Week 4 and Smith in Week 1, with the pass rusher undergoing back surgery in late September. It's unclear what kind of workload Smith is expected to handle in his first game back, assuming he is in fact activated from IR.
JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NFL playoff picks: Forecast for NFC divisional round

Geoff Schwartz breaks down next week's Niners-Packers and Rams-Bucs matchups, including his picks to advance.
JANUARY 18, 2022
NFL playoff picks: Forecast for NFC divisional round
Returns to practice The Packers have designated Smith (back) for return from IR, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Coach Matt LaFleur said Smith will practice Wednesday, which is an encouraging step in his recovery from back surgery. Smith has been on injured reserve since Green Bay's season opener, and with the team beginning the postseason with a bye week, he will have a bit more time ramp up his on-field activity.
JANUARY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Set to practice this week Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday he expects Smith (back) to return to practice Wednesday, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Impact Smith has been on injured reserve since playing limited snaps in the season opener, and he subsequently underwent back surgery in early October. The 29-year-old hasn't practiced in months, so he'll likely need to work his way back into game shape before having a chance of being activated. The Packers have a bye for the opening round of the playoffs, and it remains to be seen if Smith will be ready to play in the first postseason game.
JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Not expected to practice Smith (back) is not expected to participate in practice for the Packers leading up to their Week 16 contest with the Browns, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.
Impact Smith hasn't been able to return to the field since Week 1, where the linebacker suffered a serious back injury that required surgery. Coach Matt LaFleur was hopeful Smith would be able to return in Week 14 but the 29-year-old is still rehabbing from surgery and needs time. While Smith will likely miss Week 16, the Packers will have two more regular-season games for Smith to get reps in before the playoffs start. His next chance to return to the field will likely be in Week 17 against the Vikings.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Hoping to return in Week 14 Coach Matt LaFleur said Monday that the Packers are hopeful Smith (back) can return in Week 14, Mike Spofford of the Packers' official site reports.
Impact Smith has been sidelined since the first week of the season and underwent back surgery at the end of November, but the Packers have remained optimistic that he will be able to return this season. When asked if Smith will be available in Week 14, LaFleur said, "certainly we hope so," and "we'll see where we're at on Wednesday." So, while there continues to be optimism surrounding a potential return against the Bears on Sunday Night Football, there likely won't be any official update to Smith's status until Wednesday at the earliest.
DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

NFL odds: How to bet Rams vs. Packers, point spread, more

Check out the NFL odds on Rams vs. Packers, from the point spread to the over/under and expert picks.
NOVEMBER 24, 2021
NFL odds: How to bet Rams vs. Packers, point spread, more
Gets surgery, out indefinitely Smith (back) will be out for an extended period after having surgery earlier this week, but the Packers are hoping he'll return at some point this season, Mike Garafolo of NFL Netw...
Impact Based on initial reports, there's at least some chance the surgery turns out to be season-ending. The campaign does last a week longer this year, and Green Bay is among the more likely teams to still be playing late in January. Still, the team will be without its top pass rusher for most of the season, with Smith landing on IR after he tried to play through the injury Week 1 and now requiring a procedure after rest wasn't enough to fix the problem.
OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
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