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The 2021 season for Green Bay Packers board rusher Za’Darius Smith could be nothing more than 18 shots in a week 1 blowout.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, the Packers don’t expect or expect Smith to return to play this season after undergoing surgery to correct a back injury.
Originally NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the news of the surgery. The report came with “hope” that Smith might return.
But it looks like a comeback this season is more of a pipe dream and not the most likely outcome.
Smith, an All-Pro last season, showed up to training camp with a back injury and was placed on the non-football injury list. He missed everything except one day of training during camp. He returned to play a small role in Week 1 against the Saints, but was closed shortly after. The Packers believed putting him aside for a few weeks would allow his back to heal and give him a chance to become a full-time player again this season, but at one point he was determined to have the surgery.
Failure to recover Smith this season would be a blow to the Packers’ title hopes. With a healthy Smith, the Packers were blessed with a hobby worthy of the title. Without him, it’s unclear whether the Packers will be good enough on defense to win big games in January.
While Smith is out, the Packers will rely on veteran Preston Smith and 2019 first-round pick Rashan Gary. Preston Smith is off to a great start to the season, while everyone at Green Bay thinks Gary is on the verge of becoming a star.
Another question worth considering: Will Smith ever play in Green Bay again? Its number of caps increases to $ 28.1 million next year. The Packers can’t and won’t keep him at that number. He will either have to restructure his agreement, accept a new extension or be released or traded. All options are on the table, especially now that he will be a 29-year-old who has just had back surgery. It’s possible that his passer penalty against Jameis Winston in the opener was the last notable contribution as a Packer.
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