Za'Darius Smith has back surgery, will miss extended time
The veteran outside linebacker missed almost all of training camp with a back injury.
By PackerAaron
From NFL Network:
#Packers LB Za’Darius Smith underwent back surgery this week, sources tell me and @RapSheet. He’s expected to be out an extended period of time, though the hope is it’s not a season-ending situation.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 1, 2021
Smith has missed the Packers last two games after being placed on injured reserve in the wake of his 18 snap appearance against the Saints in Week 1.
The veteran outside linebacker missed almost all of training camp with a back issue, practicing only once and then only doing individual drills.
Smith registered a sack in 10 games during the 2020 regular season, tied for the most by a Packer in a single season. In 2019, his 13½ sacks were the most in franchise history by a player in his first season with the Packers.
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Comments (33)
TheVOR
October 01, 2021 at 04:14 pm
Brutal, wished I made that kind of money for watching football. I wish him well, but wowza! Brutal..
Lare
October 01, 2021 at 04:21 pm
Probably why he wasn't voted one of the team captains.
Lphill
October 01, 2021 at 05:22 pm
Never should have played in the Saints game , Coach never should have allowed it .
Todd
October 01, 2021 at 08:06 pm
Unless he was feeling better and thought he could play. Back injuries can be fickle.
TOMMY'63
October 01, 2021 at 08:58 pm
Hello everyone, I've been following this blog for about 6 years now,& I've decided to participate. I want to salute since61 ,bearmeat,and old school. I'm a great passionate of the game and our beloved packers.I really admire the 3 from above for their knowledge and wisdom.I have very good knowledge of the game as well.Cheeers to everyone.
Since'61
October 01, 2021 at 10:32 pm
Welcome aboard TOMMY'63. Look forward to reading your upcoming posts and I appreciate your gracious comment. Thanks, Since '61
Packers1985
October 01, 2021 at 05:25 pm
Man all of a sudden we look very thin at pass rushers.
Dzehren
October 01, 2021 at 05:32 pm
I’m in medical device sales for spine surgery. Back surgery is a minimum of 90 day recovery. Standard person is 6-9 months.
GBPDAN1
October 01, 2021 at 07:20 pm
Hopefully it was a micro surgery to remove disc material and not a full laminectomy
HawkPacker
October 02, 2021 at 10:29 am
Yes, a few years back I had a ruptured disc trimmed out between my L4 and L5 discs and I was back golfing in just over 2 weeks. I have to believe his injury is much more serious than mine but recovery time is all over the board.
Starrbrite
October 01, 2021 at 06:03 pm
Oh-Oh!!
Bearmeat
October 01, 2021 at 07:13 pm
💩
jhtobias
October 01, 2021 at 07:39 pm
No need to qorry we habe keke
TOMMY'63
October 01, 2021 at 09:13 pm
Now that we lost Z,what will gute do to replace him? Does anyone have an idea?
CheesyTex
October 01, 2021 at 10:00 pm
Gute's hands are tied by salary cap limitations (unless #12 renegotiates his contract for the benefit of the team). No affordable free agents out there, and a trade at this point seems unlikely.
IMO it falls to Joe Barry to scheme through the rest of the season with what he has on board.
jurp
October 02, 2021 at 08:49 am
"unless #12 renegotiates his contract for the benefit of the team"
As if this will ever happen. Thanks for the laugh CheesyTex!
4thand1
October 01, 2021 at 10:13 pm
if he was hurt in TC, why not surgery then, WTF, why wait until the season starts? Also they said Gary was unblockable in preseason practice. looks like he's blockable during the season.
TOMMY'63
October 01, 2021 at 10:40 pm
The problem is we fans never know exactly what is happening with the players. Only today we hear he was operated during the week. Let's pray that Gary can adequately fill his shoes.Lord help us.
TOMMY'63
October 01, 2021 at 10:40 pm
The problem is we fans never know exactly what is happening with the players. Only today we hear he was operated during the week. Let's pray that Gary can adequately fill his shoes.Lord help us.
Fubared
October 04, 2021 at 05:03 pm
Maybe he did this deliberately due to no progress on a new contract. Here I give credit for GB for holding the line. I say they should trade him in the off season and get something in return and say adios, thanks for the help. Hope your back gets better.
Since'61
October 01, 2021 at 10:46 pm
This news makes me wonder if Z will ever play another down for the Packers. Hopefully he can return 100% in time for the playoffs.
In the meantime Gary and Preston need to step up big time. If they do we can overcome the loss of Z. Thanks, Since '61
rstain99
October 02, 2021 at 07:48 am
Time for Rashan to put on big boy pants and become that player GB had to have instead of some of the greats drafted after him. for 3 plus years raving about his athletic ability put it to use get after that QB, Big Ben is going to be a test for ya hopefully Joe Barry hasn't read how he has cured Packers def woes. Big test! BTW King get in back of the line you lost your spot, such a shame has the body for Fisher but the heart of Mattel.
Guam
October 02, 2021 at 08:03 am
It would have been heresy a few weeks ago to suggest that Z gets cut for 2022 salary cap reasons, but that reality is now staring the Packers in the face. His large price tag and the uncertainty around a potentially lingering back injury could derail his career with the Packers (and maybe his entire NFL future). Hopefully Z makes a full recovery, whether this year or next.
HawkPacker
October 02, 2021 at 10:31 am
Yes Since'61, that is entirely possible. Certainly hope that is not the case.
The_Justicar
October 02, 2021 at 11:01 am
30 million in cap space next year. Around half that can be recovered if cut. He gone
Thegreatreynoldo
October 01, 2021 at 11:38 pm
Some one else tweeted that the hope that Z can return this season is just that, a hope, rather than an expectation. No idea what that latter tweet was based on.
MITM
October 02, 2021 at 08:07 am
Zadarius Smith has likely played his last game as a Packer unfortunately
Fabio
October 02, 2021 at 08:26 am
Granted that depth can never be enough ... it's time for Gary to step forward. But it is no longer enough for a single match ....., it must be constant .... and above all it must show itself against the elite teams. We sacrificed time and choices to make him become the player we need now !!!
And to be clear, what it has shown so far is not enough !!!
Greetings from Italy
GPG
BELIEVER
October 02, 2021 at 09:34 am
He’s done, I never heard anybody say “I used to have a bad back” . It’s to bad, great guy.
cheesehead1
October 02, 2021 at 11:22 am
Not good news at all. Wish Z the best. Is there anyone Gute could trade for to help fill the gap?
PatrickGB
October 02, 2021 at 02:01 pm
Unless it’s for a high draft pick, my guess is no.
Leatherhead
October 02, 2021 at 02:02 pm
Okay, can somebody give me an example or two of why it’s generally a bad idea to have lots of money going to old vets?
What are we spending on Bakhtiari and Z?
Fubared
October 04, 2021 at 05:00 pm
He's done put a fork in him for this year and maybe he never plays another down for us
I thought I read he was having contract disputes with the packers and maybe the back thing was delayed to make sure he got himself out of the games to show his displeasure with talks
This is a good trade for some picks.