2. LOLB Preston Smith
Back in 2019, Packers’ general manager Brian Gutekunst broke tradition of sorts and went on a bit of a spending spree during free agency.
The major additions were safety Adrian Amos (Bears), versatile offensive lineman Billy Turner (Broncos) and a pair of outside linebackers in Za’Darius Smith (Ravens) and Preston Smith (Washington Football Team). Turner was a 16-game starter while the three defensive additions came up big that year in Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Preston Smith has yet to miss a regular-season or postseason game in what is now his seventh NFL season. But he will be without his bookend partner as Za’Darius Smith will miss the team’s next three games, including the Monday nighter vs. the Lions. He’s been played on injured reserve (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky). The former Smith has totaled 40.5 sacks in the regular season, 16 QB traps in 33 contests with Green Bay.
More importantly, Preston Smith has five interceptions and four fumble recoveries during his stay in the league. That nose for the football could pay dividends against Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff, who has had problems with ball security in recent seasons and had an interception returned for a score in the Week 1 loss to the 49ers.