The Green Bay Packers Activate Pass Rushing Extraordinaire Za’Darius Smith

The wait is over.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith, who hasn’t played since Week 1 due to a back injury, was activated from the injured reserve list Friday. The Packers also activated veteran outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and released defensive lineman Jack Heflin and cornerback Isaac Yiadom.

Smith could give the Packers’ pass rush a boost when they host San Francisco in an NFC divisional playoff game Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

“You can never have too many pass rushers,” Packers outside linebacker Preston Smith said earlier this week. “The more weapons we have on defense, the better outcome, the better we can help the outcome be for us as a team and as a unit.”

Smith played just 18 snaps against New Orleans in Week 1, then underwent back surgery for an issue that plagued him during training camp. If Smith is anything like the player he was for Green Bay in 2019-20, though, the Packers could get a huge lift Saturday night.

Smith signed a four-year, $66 million free agent deal with Green Bay in March, 2019, then earned every cent of his money his first two seasons by posting 26.0 sacks.

In 2019 — Smith’s first in Green Bay — he led the NFL with 93 pressures and tied for the league lead with 37 quarterback hits. He also added 13.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and became the focal point for opposing defenses as the year went on.

Smith had 12.5 sacks and forced four fumbles in 2020. He also ranked 10^th in the league with 23 quarterback hits last year, led the Packers in turnover producing plays with six and was named to the Pro Bowl.

Smith’s 26.0 sacks in his first two seasons were more than any Packer in history and tied for the third most in the league in that stretch.

“He’s a great player and he produces for us,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said last season. “But he’s an inspiring player, an inspiring person, and he brings a lot of juice and energy.”

Smith’s return gives Green Bay arguably the NFL’s best trio of pass rushers.

Rashan Gary, who replaced Smith in the lineup, had a breakout year with a team-high 9.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 47 tackles. Preston Smith added 9.0 sacks, had nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed and 38 tackles.

Mercilus, who signed with Green Bay in October, tore his left biceps on Nov. 14 and was expected to miss the rest of the year. Mercilus, a first round draft pick in 2012, has 58.0 career sacks.

“Whoever they want to double, one of us – somebody is going to get more opportunities,” Packers nose tackle Kenny Clark said. “And whoever it is, we gotta be able to take advantage of them.”