Packers could be without LB Za'Darius Smith for opener

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Pro Bowl linebacker Za’Darius Smith may miss the Green Bay Packers' season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday he was not sure the outside linebacker will be ready to play in the Sept. 12 game.

Smith spent the first 12 practices of training camp on the non-football injury list with a back issue. He returned to practice Monday but missed the joint practices against the New York Jets on Wednesday and Thursday, and didn’t play in a 23-14 preseason loss to the Jets on Saturday.

“I’m not quite sure when we’ll get ‘Z’ back,” LaFleur said. “He’s injured right now. I know he wants to be out there, but we’re going to be smart with him.…