Getty Head coach Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers is seen on the sideline during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Santa Clara, California.
The Green Bay Packers will have one less defensive veteran available for Thursday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals after new inside linebacker Jaylon Smith was surprisingly declared inactive prior to kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET.
The Packers did not list Smith on their injury report ahead of Week 8’s road matchup, which suggests their decision to rule him inactive is more than likely linked to his performance. They signed the 26-year-old linebacker on October 7 following his release from the Dallas Cowboys, but he has struggled in his first two games to bring anything special to their defense.
Still, it is unexpected to see the Packers completely subtract him from the picture at a position that has been notoriously unimpressive in recent seasons. He started 56 of his 68 career games with the Cowboys and recorded 498 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles. That level of depth alone would seem to make him an asset on the inside.
The Packers also declared cornerback Kevin King (shoulder/back), offensive tackle Dennis Kelly (back), safety Vernon Scott, outside linebacker La’Darius Hamilton and rookie defensive lineman Jack Heflin as inactives against the Cardinals on Thursday night.
Outside linebacker Preston Smith (oblique) is active after missing his first career start last week. The Packers also activated tight end Dominique Dafney off injured reserve and wide receiver Malik Taylor off the reserve/COVID-19 list and elevated Ben Braden and Juwann Winfree (COVID replacement) from the practice squad for game day.
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Packers Also Missing Defensive Coordinator vs. Cardinals
The Packers defense will also be facing the enormous task of stopping Kyler Murray and the undefeated Cardinals without defensive coordinator Joe Barry roaming the sideline. The Packers announced earlier in the week he would not be in attendance for Thursday’s game due to COVID-19 protocols after — according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo — he tested positive on Monday.
Instead, the Packers will have defensive backs/passing game coordinator Jerry Gray calling the shots for the defense in Arizona while inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti communicates the calls to defensive signal-caller De’Vondre Campbell on the field.
The Packers have been forced to adjust their coaching chain-of-command once already this season with defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery testing positive before their Week 2 home opener against the Detroit Lions. During that game, head coach Matt LaFleur redistributed his responsibilities between Olivadotti, defensive quality control coach Wendel Davis and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith — and ended up shutting out the Lions in the second half on their way to a 35-17 victory.
It is also worth noting that Gray originally interviewed for the Packers’ defensive coordinator opening this past offseason after Mike Pettine was fired. While the team ultimately went with Barry for the job, Gray stayed on and earned a promotion-in-title with the addition of “passing game coordinator” to his previous title as defensive backs coach.
Special Teams May Have Determined Smith’s Status
Smith hasn’t wowed much in his limited opportunities for the Packers, but his status as an inactive in Week 8 doesn’t necessarily mean the team is already losing faith. There is a chance his special teams value — or lack thereof — made the decision for them when it came to deciding between him and some of their other inside linebackers.
Oren Burks and Ty Summers have been specifically praised as special teams assets for some time now. In fact, special teams might be the only reason Burks, a former third-round pick, still has a place on the Packers’ active roster given his limited usage as an inside linebacker. Sixth-round rookie Isaiah McDuffie has also played on nearly 50% of special teams snaps over the first seven games, proving worthy of the roster spot he earned in training camp.
Meanwhile, Smith has played zero special teams snaps in his first two games in Green Bay and never played more than 100 in any of his seasons with the Cowboys, seeing action in the third phase just 17 times for them in his first games before getting released. It might seem like a small part of the equation, but not during a week where the Packers need some of their other special teams contributors — Malik Taylor and Equanimeous St. Brown — for roles on offense.