Packers-Eagles Inactives: Za’Darius Smith is in for Thursday Night Football

About 90 minutes before game time, the Green Bay Packers gave their fans some good news on the injury front for Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. That news is that outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith is in the lineup and will play in tonight’s game.

Smith apparently suffered a minor knee injury in Tuesday’s practice as the team prepared for this game on a short week. He was listed as a limited participant on the Tuesday and Wednesday injury reports, and the team tabbed him as questionable for the game on Wednesday. That set off some alarm bells, as his versatility and pass-rush ability — he leads the NFL in individual quarterback pressures — would be a challenge to replace.

However, Smith is active for the game, and should start. This is great news, as the Packers will have their full complement of edge rushers this evening. In total, only two preferred starters are missing for this game: defensive lineman Montravius Adams and inside linebacker Oren Burks, both of whom were listed as out on Wednesday’s report.

Philly is not so lucky, but they have no surprises on their inactive report either. Three starters were listed as out on Wednesday: wideout DeSean Jackson, cornerback Ronald Darby, and defensive tackle Tim Jernigan.

Here are the full inactives lists for both teams.

Packers Inactives

• DL Montravius Adams
• LB Oren Burks
• CB Ka’Dar Hollman
• WR Jake Kumerow
• G Cole Madison
• OL Adam Pankey
• RB Dexter Williams

Eagles Inactives

• CB Ronald Darby
• G Nate Herbig
• WR DeSean Jackson
• DT Tim Jernigan
• DE Shareef Miller
• OL Matt Pryor
• QB Nate Sudfeld