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Packers OLB Za'Darius Smith practicing, eyes playoff return

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith is practicing again, raising hopes the 2020 Pro Bowl selection could return for the playoffs after missing nearly the entire regular season.

Smith, who recorded a combined 26 sacks for the Packers from 2019-20, participated in the Packers’ practice Wednesday as they begin postseason preparations. The Packers (13-4) own the NFC’s No. 1 seed and lone first-round playoff bye, so they won’t play until Jan. 22 or 23.

“I think we just want to reacclimate him into practice and see how that goes and see how it all meshes before we solidify our plan,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.