The Green Bay Packers have announced that linebacker Za’Darius Smith has undergone back surgery and will miss more time than originally expected. Smith was originally placed on injured reserve with the hope he would be back in three weeks. Now he is out indefinitely and it is unclear when he will return to the field. While there is some hope he can return to the field this year that is very much in doubt at the moment. Za’Darius Smith is one of the team’s best defensive players and will be missed while he is out.
#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
Matt LaFleur has been somewhat evasive in answering questions about Za’Darius Smith to the point people started asking about whether or not there’s more going on than an injury.
This is a very weird situation.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) October 1, 2021
The Packers are currently 2-1, but the offense has carried the load so far this season. This defense is lacking some dynamic playmakers that a team would need to win a Super Bowl. If Smith is able to return this year that will help that problem some. For now, it is just too early to tell after his back surgery. The Packers will have to move forward without him until they hear otherwise.
Za’Darius Smith swimming through the Seahawks O-Line like ? pic.twitter.com/mWRFitifyO
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) January 13, 2020
It seems possible that we don’t see Smith on the field for the Packers again this year and maybe never again. Regardless we here at Def Pen Sports hope to see Za’Darius Smith healthy and back on the field whenever he is able.
