Packers head coach Matt LaFleur updates injury status of Za’Darius Smith
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Za’Darius Smith has turned into one of the top pass rushers in the NFL.
The former defensive end played 2 seasons at East Mississippi Community College — the junior college made famous by the Netflix series “Last Chance U” — before transferring to Kentucky, where he totaled 11.0 sacks in 2 seasons.
After being drafted in the 4th round by the Ravens, Smith ultimately was Baltimore’s leader in sacks in 2018. He would then ink a 4-year deal with the Packers worth $66 million. And Green Bay’s investment has paid off as Smith totaled 13.5 and 12.5 sacks in 2019 and 2020, respectively, earning himself Pro Bowl appearances in both seasons.
But his status for the Packers’ season opener against the Saints on Sept. 12 is up in the air due to a back injury, per head coach Matt LaFleur and reported by Green Bay Press-Gazette Packers beat writer Ryan Wood.
Matt LaFleur says Za'Darius Smith "could potentially" miss Week 1 vs. Saints because of his back issue. "He's injured right now. I know he wants to be out there, but we're going to be smart with him."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 22, 2021
The Packers finished 13-3 in the 2020 regular season. They advanced to the NFC Championship Game before falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26 at Lambeau Field.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
