Tag: Za’Darius Smith

Packers OLB Za’Darius Smith will play in season opener vs. Saints

The Packers will have Za’Darius Smith available against the Saints in the season opener.

The pass rush of the Green Bay Packers will be at full force for the season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Packers edge rusher Za’Darius Smith will play against the Saints despite being listed as questionable with a back injury.

Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, missed most of Packers training camp with the injury. He was also held out of Friday’s practice after participating in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday.

Coach Matt LaFleur said the team would five Smith the whole week to get ready to play. It appears he put himself in a position to give it a go on Sunday against the Saints.

There’s a good chance the Packers will have Smith on a rep count, meaning more opportunities for Preston Smith and Rashan Gary to open the season.

Over the last two seasons, Smith has produced 26.0 sacks, 60 quarterback hits and five force fumbles. He also hasn’t missed a game, appearing in all 32 games and four playoff games since joining the Packers as a free agent.

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Ken Crawley, Tre’Quan Smith ruled out on final Saints vs. Packers injury report

Final New Orleans Saints injury report vs. Packers rules out CB Ken Crawley and WR Tre’Quan Smith, adds LT Terron Armstead:

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The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers issued their final injury reports on Friday, barring any sudden changes in transit to Jacksonville on Saturday. And it’s not great news for the Saints, who preemptively ruled out both cornerback Ken Crawley and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith — each of whom were then designated to injured reserve.

Additionally, New Orleans added starting left tackle Terron Armstead and his backup James Hurst to the injury report. Armstead (back) is expected to play, but Hurst (knee) is questionable. If Hurst can’t go, look for rookie Landon Young to be the next man up behind Armstead.

But there’s a silver lining: the Saints upgraded No. 1 corner Marshon Lattimore (knee) to full participation after he practiced on a limited basis Thursday, so he’ll be ready to go on Sunday. Expect rookie Paulson Adebo to start across from him while trade acquisition Bradley Roby completes his NFL-mandated suspension this week.

As for the other side; Green Bay ruled out backup safety Vernon Scott, but deemed defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster and star pass rusher Za’Darius Smith each questionable to play with back injuries. Smith will likely be a game time decision. The full report:

Packers OLB Za’Darius Smith (back) will be game-time decision vs. Saints

The Green Bay Packers won’t rule out Za’Darius Smith for Week 1 despite the All-Pro edge rusher missing Friday’s practice. 

The Green Bay Packers won’t be ruling out Za’Darius Smith for Week 1 despite the All-Pro edge rusher missing Friday’s practice.

Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers would give Smith the rest of the week to get his body ready to play against the New Orleans Saints in Jacksonville.

“We thought it was in his best interest to leave him out and then give him the next 48 hours to prove if he can go out there and play,” LaFleur said.

Smith, a two-time Pro Bowler, has missed the majority of training camp with a lingering back injury. He practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday and Thursday but was held out on Friday.

“I wouldn’t say a setback. He’s feeling some things,” LaFleur said.

The Packers increased his reps at Thursday’s practice. The fact his body didn’t respond well to an increased workload doesn’t bode well for his chances of playing against the Saints. Playing it safe with such an important member of the team – especially considering the 17-game schedule ahead – looks like the best bet, but the Packers will always give veteran players a chance to play if they can do so safely.

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Marshon Lattimore, Tre’Quan Smith added to Saints-Packers injury report

The New Orleans Saints injury report updated status for CB Marshon Lattimore and WR Tre’Quan Smith against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, via @KadeKistner:

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The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers face off in just three days! The updated injury report is out and considering there were only four players listed between the two teams on the initial report, quite a bit has changed.

Saints receiver Tre’Quan Smith’s addition came as a surprise after practicing fully yesterday. He has been nursing a hamstring injury during camp. However, cornerback Marshon Lattimore also made an appearance on the injury report and was limited in practice today with a knee issue.

New Orleans cornerback Ken Crawley once again did not practice which puts his status for Sunday in significant doubt. Rookie Paulson Adebo will likely get the start in his place as the recently-acquired Bradley Roby will be ineligible to play Week 1 due to suspension. If both Crawley and Lattimore are unavailable, the Saints may have to start Adebo and Desmond Trufant against Green Bay.

As far as the Packers’ side of the house, there was no change for the players initially listed and two more players in Marcedes Lewis and Preston Smith were added.

NFL Week 1: Initial injury report for Saints vs. Packers

NFL Week 1: Saints list only CB Ken Crawley (hamstring) on initial injury report vs. Packers, via @KadeKistner:

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The New Orleans Saints will host the Green Bay Packers for a Week 1 matchup at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday. The new-look Saints, with Jameis Winston at the helm, have a lot of questions that need answering when it comes to their roster.

Luckily, New Orleans has had some fortune on the injury front to start the season, which helps answering those questions a little easier. There appears to be few surprises when it comes to the initial injury report. Only cornerback Ken Crawley (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant, everyone else was a full participant.

Green Bay, however, had some question marks on the defensive side of the ball. Star pass rusher Za’Darius Smith (back) was a limited participant, and his condition is worth monitoring in the days ago. Here is the full report for both teams: