Whenever Za’Darius Smith returns, ‘It’ll Take Time’ will play


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GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – A week ago, Za’Darius Smith posted a photo of himself on Instagram.

“It is about this time,” wrote Smith.

The news seemed to indicate that it was time for Smith’s long-awaited return to the Green Bay Packers defense. However, that was not the case. While All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander has been training for the past two days, Pro Bowl outside linebacker Smith has been out for almost three months.

“All these guys want to come back sooner than they want,” said coach Mike Smith on Thursday. “It will be up to Flea [head athletic trainer Bryan Engel] and Gutey [general manager Brian Gutekunst] when he’s ready to roll and how he’s feeling. I think he’s eager, he’s excited. I’m sure he’s feeling better, but he still has some time. “

The training camp started on July 28 with Za’Darius Smith on the non-soccer injury list with a back injury. On the 16th day of camp, Smith was activated by NFI and made his debut. It was a one day return. Smith returned exactly three weeks later. He trained the whole week that led to the season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Smith played 18 snaps in the opener and that was it.

Smith ended up on an injured reserve and was operated on on his back in late September.

Assuming Smith returns – and Mike Smith’s comments were the strongest sign that this was likely – how long would it be before he was ready to play?

This is Za’Darius Smith’s seventh season in the NFL. In his first six seasons he played 90 games. During his first two seasons with the Packers, he started all 32 games. So from that perspective, he could possibly play fast. On the other hand, he didn’t have a training camp. During his one and only practice, he did a few individual exercises. He has to improve his condition and feel comfortable in a new defensive scheme.

“It will take time,” said Mike Smith. “In the moment when he comes back – whenever that may be – there won’t be much time. We’re nearing the end of the season and the playoffs so we have to move it forward pretty quickly.

“He’s been working hard with his conditioning and stuff. It’s different on the soccer field. I understand he played six years but it will take time. But as I said, he’s old enough. He knows how to rush the quarterback. I will never put him in situations where he is unsuccessful. He’ll know exactly what he’s doing and I’ll make sure he’s at a point where I won’t let him fail. “

Smith had 26 sacks in his first two seasons with the Packers. That includes 13.5 sacks and a league-leading 93 print in 2019. Although he’s only played 2.35 percent of the defensive snaps this season, he’s been 10 in the NFL for the past three seasons.

Without Smith, Rashan Gary and Preston Smith have filled the void. Gary is having the best season of his three year career and Preston Smith has already topped his 2020 total for Bags and Printing.

“We play good ball and we are on a good football team,” said Mike Smith. “He sees everyone is having fun and having a good time, and he wants to get involved. He has to be smart about that. Of course, I can’t wait for him to come back, but he just has to take his time and make sure he’s back forever when he’s back. “

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