Packers activate Za’Darius Smith, Whitney Mercilus from IR

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Inexperienced Bay Packers have boosted their go rush for the postseason by activating outdoors linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus from injured reserve.

These strikes clear the way in which for Smith to play his first sport in over 4 months and Mercilus to swimsuit up for the primary time since mid-November when the top-seeded Packers (13-4) host the San Francisco 49ers (11-7) in an NFC divisional playoff sport Saturday evening.

Inexperienced Bay made room for them on the roster by releasing defensive lineman Jack Heflin and cornerback Isaac Yiadom.

Smith, 29, had a mixed 26 sacks for the Packers from 2019-20 however hasn’t performed since a 38-3 season-opening loss to the New Orleans Saints as a result of a again damage that additionally sidelined him for just about the complete preseason. Smith reached the Professional Bowl in 2019 and 2020. He additionally was a second-team All-Professional choice in 2020.

Mercilus, 31, joined the Packers on Oct. 21 after the Houston Texans launched him. He had one sack – the 58th of his profession - in 4 video games with Inexperienced Bay earlier than a Nov. 14 biceps damage sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Smith and Mercilus ought to present reinforcements at a place the place the Packers have relied closely on Rashan Gary and Preston Smith this season.

Gary, a 2019 first-round draft choose from Michigan, has 9 1/2 sacks this season after totaling seven in his first two NFL campaigns. Preston Smith, who isn’t associated to Za’Darius, improved his sacks complete from 4 in 2020 to 9 this season.

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