Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith provides update after back surgery

The Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith opened up about his recent back surgery. Smith had been dealing with a back injury prior to the start of the season. Unfortunately, the injury has regressed resulting in a move to the Packers injured reserve list. At first, Green Bay believed that additional rest would heal the injury for their edge rusher. But during week 4, on Sept 27, Smith underwent back surgery and was ruled out indefinitely.

Since having the surgery, Smith has been away from the team rehabbing and recovering. On Friday, he announced that he was back in Green Bay with the team via Twitter. 

On that same post, a fan asked Smith how does his back feel now? Smith replied, “I feel like a new man.” 

Selected 122nd overall in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Smith played in 58 games in Baltimore, starting 16 over four seasons. His 2018 season was his best at that point of his career, with 8.5 sacks, 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 25 quarterback hits. He then signed in free agency with Green Bay.

In each of the previous two seasons, Smith has started all 16 games on the Packers defense. Through his first two seasons in Green Bay, Smith totaled 26 sacks, 107 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 60 quarterback hits. Smith did not start in the Packers 2021 season opener against the Saints, but he did have 18 snaps in the game as he worked his way back from his back injury.

Packers end the Cardinals undefeated season

The Arizona Cardinals came within striking distance of keeping their unbeaten streak alive against the Green Bay Packers, as Kyler Murray and the offense, trailing 24-21, needed just five yards for a game-winning touchdown.

But the Cardinals were stopped short on their miraculous 11-play, 94-yard drive down the field, as the 12th play resulted in a highlight-reel interception from Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas to seal the game. With that interception, which left a mere 15 seconds on the clock, the Packers pulled off a victory and brought their record to 7-1; the Cardinals, on the other hand, picked up their first loss of the season — leaving zero unbeaten teams left in the NFL — and fell to 7-1, too.

The Packers’ defense is much improved since their collapse to start the season against the New Orleans Saints. Over Green Bay’s seven-game winning streak, their defense has given up just over 18 points per game. But the Packers would love to do this with Smith back in the lineup. For now, fans will have to wait and see when their star linebacker can return this season.

On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this story