Packers LB D.J. Smith 'Lost for the Season'
The Packers announced Monday that starting inside linebacker D.J. Smith will be lost for the remainder of the 2012 season.
By Zach Kruse
The Green Bay Packers have been dealt another serious injury blow to the inside linebacker position.
Second-year linebacker D.J. Smith will join starter Desmond Bishop on the injured reserve list after the Packers announced Monday afternoon that Smith tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will be "lost for the season."
Smith, a 2011 fifth-round pick, had been starting in place of Bishop, who tore his hamstring during the preseason opener in San Diego.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the club had not yet decided who would replace Smith as the starter alongside A.J. Hawk, although Brad Jones played the majority of snaps inside after Smith went down Sunday in Houston. Other options include Robert Francois, who started a game at inside linebacker in 2011, converted outside linebacker Jamari Lattimore and 2012 fifth-round pick Terrell Manning.
McCarthy wasn't able to give any new information on injuries to cornerback Sam Shields (shin) or linebacker Nick Perry (knee) but that more would be known later in the week. At this point, one could assume neither is injured severely. McCarthy said that Perry's injury is better than the Packers thought it would be originally.
Other tidbits from McCarthy's Monday press conference:
- Thought the grass surface in Houston was different, definitely harder than most. McCarthy didn't know if that had any factor in the injuries Sunday.
- Praised Alex Green and said that he'll be the team's lead running back. Green is no longer on a snap count and appears capable of handling a full load.
- Tight end Andrew Quarless and linebacker Frank Zombo "definitely" look ready to come off the PUP list. Tackle Derek Sherrod remains further off.
- Rookie cornerback Casey Hayward received a game ball on defense Sunday.
- Said linebacker A.J. Hawk played his best game of the 2012 season Sunday.
- On the blocked punt, poor technique by the guard and tackle. Let their guard down.
- Nose tackle B.J. Raji was close to playing Sunday night, but Dr. McKenzie wasn't OK with the strength.
Comments (38)
October 15, 2012 at 05:50 pm
Was Desmond Bishop placed on the "able to return" IR list, or has he been shut down for good?
PackerAaron
October 15, 2012 at 08:55 pm
Shut down for good.
October 15, 2012 at 05:51 pm
Wonder if we'll finally get to see something from Manning. That's assuming he's healthy after his colitis episode.
October 15, 2012 at 05:59 pm
McCarthy said indirectly he still doesn't have the playboook down. I think he said in the lines of "he's got the ST covered moreso than the D".
The guy went through the offseason literally shitting himself. I wouldn't expect much from him this year.
But it's next man up. Like in 2010.
October 15, 2012 at 06:27 pm
Wow, never that about Manning...would certainly make it difficult to focus on football, I'd think.
October 15, 2012 at 06:52 pm
*heard*
October 15, 2012 at 06:51 pm
He shit himself? Why did I not hear of this???
October 15, 2012 at 08:15 pm
He had some disease diagnosed during training camp. I think he lost like 20 lbs during the summer.
Was it Chrone's? Can't remember...
But he's healthy now. Just not ready yet.
October 15, 2012 at 09:29 pm
How was the game? My guess is it was awesome.
October 15, 2012 at 08:18 pm
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/get-to-know-terrell-manning-ho6us...
"So with this sickness, what were you going through that people didn't know about? A lot of pain for one thing - and diarrhea. I couldn't eat. I had problems sleeping. Couldn't drink. Anything I did put in was coming right back out. There were days I didn't eat and I was still using the bathroom just as much. I lost 15 pounds. It was during camp."
October 15, 2012 at 09:28 pm
I think that rings a bell... Maybe. Thanks RS.
October 15, 2012 at 07:16 pm
Lattimore!
October 15, 2012 at 06:08 pm
Another hit for a shaky defense - I just hope Dom stays aggressive and not get conservative that cost at least one game this year
October 15, 2012 at 07:17 pm
I think he only got conservative late in last night's game because of the mounting injuries. Just wanted to get guys home injury free!
October 15, 2012 at 06:12 pm
The loss of Smith to a cheap shot absolutely infuriates me. Perhaps this is a knee-jerk reaction, or perhaps it's because I'm tired of the Green Bay paramedics being our team's MVP every season, but I feel like Duane Brown should be suspended for that hit. Smith was away from the play when Brown made his dirty, cheap ass hit. A fine in exchange for ending a guy's season seems way too light.
October 15, 2012 at 06:36 pm
I agree - the hit was cheap. I can't believe there was no flag thrown for the helmet to helmet hit. I wonder if Cushing and the texans are still going whine about the block that ended his season after that blatant cheap shot by his teammate
October 15, 2012 at 07:19 pm
Two things: 1) Brown better be fined 2) That fine better total more than the $15000 Perry was fined for his CLEAN hit on Luck last week!
But then again...Brandon Browner got fined just over $7500 for cheap shotting Greg across the field from the play.
October 16, 2012 at 08:38 am
He wasn't really away from the play, but the play was pretty much over. The RB had cut back and was being tackles maybe 4-5 yards in front of Smith. Most importantly, Smith wasn't making any more toward the ball carrier or anything. It was completely unnecessary and cheap, though.
October 15, 2012 at 07:27 pm
Is it time to panic?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6lV_Vmf938&feature=related
October 15, 2012 at 07:52 pm
Although we don't hear alot about trades, TT has left cap space. Several "out of it" teams have GMs that value the draft (KC), have "issue" players or have Packer ties (Oakland) or may be looking for WRs (Jax, Panthers)...Would anyone talk James Jones (remember trade when the value is HIGHEST) +/- 3rd-4th for a D'Quell Jackson (Clev), Paul Posluszny (Jax), Rolando McClain (Oak but must leave gun at home) or John Beason (Panthers)...Saints still think there's time otherwise Curtis Lofton might also be a fit.
October 15, 2012 at 08:21 pm
Better trade Rodgers too! Can't top 6 TDs...
October 16, 2012 at 06:01 am
I believe the cap space rolls over next year and we will need it if we wish to keep CM3 and resign Rodgers and Raji.
October 16, 2012 at 08:40 am
A. Player for player trades are rare in the NFL.
B. With Jennings battling injuries, trading Jones makes even less sense that it used to.
October 15, 2012 at 07:59 pm
Would EJ Henderson fit this def.
October 15, 2012 at 08:27 pm
Sheesh, the trade Jones talk will never end, will it.
Jones has a high bang/buck ratio. He isn't going anywhere.
October 15, 2012 at 09:21 pm
He and Nelson are going to be needed to be taken care of in a year or two...preferably sooner rather than later so TT can get em on hometown discount!
October 15, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Nelson already got an extension, and Jones re-signed after feeling out free agency.....
October 16, 2012 at 06:52 am
Nelsons was five years but I believe Jones contract will be up after next year. Let's see if Jones can keep this up.
October 15, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Loss of DJ Smith, while certainly a concern, is not a huge hit for the team. DJ was great against the run, but a liability in defending the soft middle of the Capers zone defense. We saw TE after TE exploit this soft middle because DJ's reach was not enough to ward off the pass. He couldn't make up for his height issue by reacting quickly either. Brad Jones should be a better fit, assuming he can tackle (and I realize that's a big IF). Overall I think this injury will lead to our defense emerging even stronger
October 15, 2012 at 10:48 pm
"Liability" is a kind word in describing Smith's coverage abilities. He was on of the fundamental reasons QB's loved aiming at the middle of the zone. Smith always lined up too deep and never took lanes away. Francois always impressed me in coverage. My bet is Capers will start with a platoon system with Francois on third downs.
October 16, 2012 at 06:53 am
My thoughts exactly.
October 16, 2012 at 12:27 am
So here's a tough one: Who does TT cut to add Quarless and Zombo to the roster?
October 16, 2012 at 06:04 am
Obviously Smith for Zombo now that is on IR. Probably Ryan Taylor for Quarless.
October 16, 2012 at 07:45 am
They can put Richardson on IR with his bad hammy to make room for one them. I don't think Taylor goes anywhere because of ST play.
October 16, 2012 at 08:42 am
Agreed.
October 16, 2012 at 07:27 am
ILB = Woodson?
October 16, 2012 at 09:01 am
Francois reminds me of smith in that he seems to make plays when given the chance. I bet this loss isnt allover ESPN like this Ravens bullsh%t. If its not Ray nobody cares. I wish Moses could play mlb!
October 16, 2012 at 10:55 am
that's what I had thought as well...he hits like one