Smith (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Smith missed the Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Bears due to a neck injury. The outside linebacker is set to suit up after a one-game absence. The veteran pass rusher's return will boost the rotational efficiency of the Falcons' defensive line as he rotates in when Samson Ebukam or Cameron Thomas needs to rest.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Za'Darius Smith: Expected to play Sunday
Rotowire
Smith (neck) is questionable but expected to play against the 49ers on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Smith earned the questionable tag for Week 7 after an LP-LP-FP practice log, but it looks like the veteran pass rusher will return from a one-game absence due to a neck injury. His would return would give the Falcons a boost at the edge rusher position, especially if Samson Ebukam (hamstring) is not cleared to play.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Za'Darius Smith: Tagged as questionable after full practice
Rotowire
Smith (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Smith opened the week with back-to-back limited practices before logging a full session Friday. He's working through a neck injury that forced him to be sidelined for Week 6 against the Bears, and his status for Sunday's contest may not be officially known until the Falcons announce their list of inactive players about 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Smith's return would bolster the Falcons' depth at the edge rusher position behind Samson Ebukam (hamstring) and Cameron Thomas.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Za'Darius Smith: Ready for Sunday
Rotowire
Smith (neck) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Smith was limited in Friday's practice with a neck injury after clearing concussion protocol Thursday. The outside linebacker has navigated the discomfort in time for Sunday's contest and is all set to suit up on the edge against the Bears.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Za'Darius Smith: Draws questionable tag for Week 6
Rotowire
Smith (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Smith cleared concussion protocol Thursday, but his practice reps have been limited by a neck issue. The veteran pass rusher will continue to get treatment over the weekend, but if he's not cleared to play Sunday, then Jared Ivey would be the lone rotational option behind starters Samson Ebukam and Cameron Thomas.
Smith (neck) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Smith's status on Atlanta's official injury report changed from "concussion/neck" to just "neck" Thursday, signaling he has cleared league concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game versus the Bears. With that said, his availability for Week 6 is still up in the air due to the neck issue, and he may have to log a full practice Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Za'Darius Smith: Won't play against Baltimore
Rotowire
Smith (concussion/neck) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Smith entered the league's concussion protocol during the Falcons' Week 4 win over the Saints on Monday. He drew the questionable tag after practicing in a limited capacity Friday, but it looks like he won't clear protocol before Sunday's game. Samson Ebukam (hamstring) is also listed as questionable, so Jared Ivey, Bralen Trice and Cameron Thomas are all in line for more defensive snaps against Baltimore. Smith's next chance to play is Week 6 against the Bears on Sunday, Oct. 18.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Za'Darius Smith: Questionable with concussion
Rotowire
Smith (concussion/neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site reports.
Smith was a limited participant in Friday's practice as he continues to deal with a concussion he suffered in the Falcons' win over the Saints on Monday. The linebacker still needs to be cleared for full contact by an independent neurologist. If the 34-year-old still has concussion symptoms Saturday, he will not be able to suit up for Sunday's game.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Za'Darius Smith: Looks likely to play Sunday
Rotowire
Smith (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Unless he experiences a setback leading up to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Smith looks set to play through the shoulder issue that kept him from practicing Thursday and limited his participation Wednesday. With Jalon Walker (knee) out for the season and James Pearce suspended for the first eight games of the campaign, the Falcons will be counting on the 34-year-old Smith to serve as a key pass rusher.
... See More... See Less
Eagles' Za'Darius Smith: Hangs up cleats
Rotowire
Smith announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.
The 33-year-old edge rusher from Kentucky signed with the Eagles in early September and tallied 10 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, over the team's last five games. However, he's since decided to call it a career. Smith, an 11-year NFL veteran, spent time with the Ravens, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Lions and Eagles throughout his career, recording 70.5 sacks and 11 forced fumbles over 145 regular-season appearances. He made three Pro Bowls from 2019 to 2022 and received second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 with the Packers. With Smith retiring Monday, Azeez Ojulari is likely to play a larger role on Philadelphia's defense moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Za'Darius Smith: In line to be released
Rotowire
The Lions are releasing Smith, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Smith was entering the second of a two-year, $23 million contract and would have been a $5.75 million cap hit for Detroit in 2025. The 33-year-old provided much needed production for the Lions after being traded from the Browns last season, logging 4.0 sacks over the final eight games of the 2024 campaign. Smith totaled 9.0 sacks over 17 regular-season games last year, and he should get plenty of attention this offseason from teams in need of pass-rushing help. Meanwhile, the Lions likely will look to the draft or free agency to find a new edge defender to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson, who is coming off a season-ending leg injury.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Za'Darius Smith: Sacks Love in Week 14
Rotowire
Smith tallied two solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in Detroit's 34-31 win over Green Bay in Week 14.
Smith sacked Jordan Love for a seven-yard loss midway through the first quarter. Smith has logged 3.0 sacks in the four regular-season games since being acquired by the Lions in a trade with the Browns in early November, and he's up to 8.0 sacks on the season through 13 regular-season games. He'll have his work cut out for him in terms of adding to that total against Josh Allen and the Bills in Week 15.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Za'Darius Smith: Practices in full Wednesday
Rotowire
Smith (personal) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.
Smith was held out of this past Sunday's game against Houston after being traded from Cleveland to Detroit on Nov. 5, but he will be good to go against Jacksonville on Sunday, Nov. 17. Through the first nine regular-season games with the Browns, Smith logged 23 tackles (15 solo), including 5.0 sacks.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Za'Darius Smith: Not expected to play Sunday
Rotowire
Smith (personal), who is officially questionable for Sunday's game against Houston, isn't likely to suit up, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Smith was dealt from Cleveland to Detroit on Tuesday, and Rapoport suggests that the edge rusher is "not quite ready" to make his Lions debut. Since he's not dealing with an injury, Smith will likely be able to participate in Detroit's following game, which will take place Nov. 17 against Jacksonville. With Smith expected to be absent against the Texans, Josh Paschal and James Houston should continue to be called upon as Detroit's primary edge rushers.
... See More... See Less
Lions' Za'Darius Smith: Questionable for Detroit debut
Rotowire
Smith (personal) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans.
Smith was just acquired from the Browns at the trade deadline Tuesday, so it's fair to wonder if he's up to speed with the defense. If cleared to suit up, Smith could play strictly on passing downs, allowing him to rush the passer.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Za'Darius Smith: Gets to quarterback again
Rotowire
Smith recorded three tackles (two solo) including 1.0 sacks during Sunday's 34-13 loss at Washington.
Smith's sack Sunday was his third of the season through five games. He's on pace for the fourth double-digit sack season of his career, and he has some IDP allure heading into a Week 6 matchup at Philadelphia.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Za'Darius Smith: Good to go vs. Washington
Rotowire
Smith (neck) was limited in Friday's practice but does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Smith popped up on Thursday's practice report with a neck injury. While he was limited in practice Thursday and Friday, there appears to be no concern that the 2015 fourth-round pick is in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game. Smith has accrued 10 tackles (seven solo), including 2.0 sacks, through the first four games of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Za'Darius Smith: All clear for Week 2
Rotowire
Smith (back) practiced in a limited fashion Friday and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Smith and Myles Garrett (foot) have both been cleared for Sunday's road matchup. It appears that the tandem of veteran pass rushers were simply dealing with soreness. Smith tallied three tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, versus Dallas in Week 1 and will look to keep up his momentum versus Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville on Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Za'Darius Smith: Records sack in defeat
Rotowire
Smith recorded three tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, during the Browns' 33-17 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday.
Smith ended the 2023 regular season with 27 tackles, including 5.5 sacks, and his solid start Sunday could portend another productive campaign for the veteran pass rusher.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Za'Darius Smith: Avoids serious injury
Rotowire
Additional tests Tuesday revealed that Smith (knee) avoided serious injury during Monday's practice session, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Smith was carted off the field during Monday's practice after sustaining a knee injury. However, additional tests didn't reveal anything serious, and the veteran pass rusher is expected to be fine with rest. That likely means he will be out for at least the first preseason game against the Packers on Saturday, though the Browns could be extra cautious and keep Smith out for the entire preseason, which gives Alex Wright an opportunity to get reps with the first-team defense. Cleveland signed defensive end Marcus Haynes on Tuesday to provide depth in Smith's absence.
