Packers Star LB Za'Darius Smith Expected to Play Thursday
By Parker White
Breathe easy, Packer Nation. Your disruptor has arrived for Thursday night's game.
There was a chance that Green Bay Packers linebacker Za'Darius Smith wouldn't be available for Thursday night's game contest the Philadelphia Eagles, but according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Smith is now expected to play.
#Packers pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith, a key part of that impressive unit with three sacks thus far, is expected to play tonight vs. the #Eagles, source said. He was listed as questionable and was limited this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 26, 2019
Smith was initially listed as questionable with a calf injury, and was a limited participant in practice this week, but one of their key offseason acquisitions and big-time players on defense will now be in the lineup.
Za'Darius Smith expected to play Thursday night https://t.co/IDLVlkXgUu
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 26, 2019
Green Bay's defense has been impressive this year and Smith should be given a lot of credit, as he already three sacks over his first three games of the season, including two sacks this past Sunday against Denver.
The #packers Edge rushing combo of Za'Darius and Preston Smith have a combined total of 36 QB pressures. That is more than.
— Jake Morley (@JacobMorley) September 26, 2019
Denver
Oakland
Miami
Washington (Tied)
Have as a team.
Smith won't be 100 percent, so who knows how effective he'll be at getting after the quarterback this week, but his presence alone will do wonders for Mike Pettine's defense against the Eagles.