The cherry flavored cough drops have nothing on the Packers.
The Smith brothers were an instant sensation when Preston and Za’Darius signed as free agents before the 2019 season. They became the 26th and 27th players with that surname to suit up for a regular season game in Green Bay’s history.
Enter number 28.
Jaylon Smith officially joined the Pack today, signed by General Manager Brian Gutekunst to a contract for the remainder of the 2021 season after he was surprisingly released by his original team, the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week. The former Notre Dame linebacker was a high, second round pick by Dallas in 2016. Talk about a future’s pick, he was still nowhere near recovered from a devastating knee injury during his final season with the Irish. Smith finally got on the field in 2017 but from 2018 through last season, started every game for Dallas at inside linebacker. He piled up more than 400 tackles during his run but his production apparently ran out of favor with Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
The Cowboys drafted a pair of inside linebackers this year and Smith’s snap totals plummeted. Dallas was more than willing to swallow the 7.2 million dollars in guaranteed money still owed Smith for the remainder of the year.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Packers will have to only pony up around $700,000.00 for Jaylon’s services this year with the Cowboys picking up the rest of the tab.
Just how he’ll fit in with Joe Barry’s defense remains a mystery. Will he join De’Vondre Campbell and Krys Barnes in a three inside linebacker look Green Bay rolled out against Pittsburgh? Will he take over for Barnes, still a young player, full-time?
Inside linebackers coach Kirk Olividotti said after practice Thursday the staff is a long way away from determining how best to use Smith but they believe he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
To clear the roster spot for Smith, the Packers placed edge rusher Chauncey Rivers on injured reserve after he tore his ACL on a non-contact play late in Wednesday’s practice.
There could be another move before the team takes the field in Cincinnati on Sunday. The Packers are down to four healthy outside backers in Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Jonathan Garvin and La’Darius Hamilton.
Practice squad edge rusher Tipa Galeai might find himself in line for a promotion for the weekend.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur had no new updates on Jaire Alexander today but there was still encouraging medical news for a change at practice.
Elgton Jenkins back at work.
He sprained his ankle against the Detroit Lions in week two but finished the game. Elgton Jenkins missed the next two weeks however, forcing the Packers to turn to free agent Yosh Nijman at left tackle. Nijman held his own and now Jenkins has finally returned to practice albeit on a limited basis but he’s expected to be available against the Bengals. Will he take over for Nijman to protect Aaron Rodgers’ blind side? Could he jump back in to his Pro Bowl position of left guard? He might have to give center another shot with rookie Josh Myers sitting out practice Thursday with a bandage on his right hand.
Veteran tackle Dennis Kelly was the only other new name on the injury report, staying home with an illness.
It looks like both Krys Barnes and Kevin King are progressing well enough through the concussion protocol to get cleared and back on the field this weekend.
