GREEN BAY, Wis. -- First came left tackle David Bakhtiari and center Josh Myers. Now, Za'Darius Smith might be the next key player to return to the Green Bay Packers in time for the playoffs.
The second-team All-Pro outside linebacker from a year ago will practice this week during the top-seeded Packers' first-round bye, and if all goes well, he could play for the first time since the season opener. Smith played just 18 snaps in the regular season -- all in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints -- and then underwent back surgery for an issue that plagued him during training camp.