Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith will miss the first game of his NFL career on Sunday against the Washington Football Team.
Smith, who injured his oblique in Chicago last season, is officially inactive for Sunday.
He played only eight snaps before departing the Packers’ win over the Bears lat week.
Smith practiced in a limited capacity on Friday and was listed as questionable, but the Packers are holding him out Sunday so he can get healed up for an important stretch of games coming up.
Smith, now in his seventh season, had played in 102 straight games to start his NFL career. He played all 64 games over his first four seasons with Washington and 38 straight over his first three seasons in Green Bay.
Being inactive Sunday ends an impressive streak of games played, especially for a defensive player who plays such a violent position.
In his first six games of 2021, Smith delivered two sacks and six quarterback hits.
The Packers will be without both starting edge rushers on Sunday. Za’Darius Smith has been on injured reserve since Week 2 with a back injury. Rashan Gary and Jonathan Garvin will be the likely starters.
However, the Packers do have veteran newcomer Whitney Mercilus active. The former Houston Texans edge rusher could play important snaps for Joe Barry’s defense on Sunday against Washington.
Smith will have a chance to start a new streak when the Packers go to Arizona to play the Cardinals next Thursday night.
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