Smith (back/undisclosed) is healthy in advance of training camp and looking to make a major impact for Minnesota in 2022, Arif Hasan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith missed nearly the entire 2021 campaign due to a back injury and had a four-year deal with the Ravens fall through this offseason due to an issue with his physical. The former All-Pro linebacker also was sidelined during parts of the Vikings' OTA practices for precautionary reasons after sustaining a minor undisclosed injury. Regardless, Smith is healthy now and looking to reclaim his spot as one of the league's top pass rushers during the 2022 season.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Smith wasn't at Wednesday's practice for precautionary reasons regarding an undisclosed injury, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a deal with the Ravens fell through due to undisclosed reasons, Smith opted to sign a three-year, $42 million deal with the Vikings this offseason. The former All-Pro pass rusher was limited to just two appearances last year due to a back issue, so while his absence was dubbed precautionary, there's already major concerns about his health heading into 2022.

Smith signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Vikings on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was released by the Packers in mid-March and appeared to have quickly signed a new contract to reunite with the Ravens. However, for an undisclosed reason that deal fell through, so the former All-Pro pass rusher returned to the open market where he was courted by his former team's division rival. Smith missed nearly all of 2021 while recovering from back surgery, but he did return for Green Bay's final playoff game and even recorded a sack during the loss to San Francisco. Before the injury plagued 2021 campaign, he recorded back-to-back double-digit sack seasons with the Packers and figures to provide a powerful one-two punch with Danielle Hunter (pectoral) during the 2022 campaign.

Smith no longer plans to sign with the Ravens, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith and the Ravens were reported Wednesday to have reached a four-year agreement, shortly before the start of the new league year, but something apparently held the deal up and may now prevent it from happening at all. Baltimore is known for being unusually strict about medical records, and Smith -- a former Raven -- did miss nearly all of 2021 while recovering from back surgery. However, he made it back for Green Bay's final playoff game and even recorded a sack in the team's memorable loss to San Francisco.

Smith is signing a four-year contract with the Ravens, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The contract reportedly is for $35 million, plus another $15 million available via incentives. Smith thus returns to the team that drafted him in the fourth round back in 2015, reaching an agreement with the Ravens just two days after the Packers released him. A back injury (and subsequent surgery) limited Smith to one regular-season game and one playoff game in 2021, but prior to that he had 13.5 and 12.5 sacks in his first two seasons with the Packers. He'll turn 30 in September and is locked in as a starting outside linebacker for Baltimore.

The Packers released Smith on Monday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The move has been rumored for the past couple months, with Smith previously scheduled for a non-guaranteed $14.5 million base salary in 2022, the final year of the four-year, $66 million contract he signed in March 2019. The Packers signed fellow edge rusher Preston Smith right around the same time, then drafted Rashan Gary in the first round a month and a half later. They'll now move forward with Gary and Preston Smith as their top pass rushers, having signed the latter to a four-year contract extension shortly before Za'Darius was released. The 29-year-old free agent shouldn't have much trouble drumming up interest, considering he had 13.5 sacks in 2019 and 12.5 in 2020 before a back injury limited him to one game in 2021.

Smith recorded one tackle in his lone regular-season appearance of the 2021 campaign.

EDGE Analysis

After suffering a back injury Week 1 and then undergoing surgery in early October, Smith missed the rest of the regular season, but he returned to action for Green Bay's divisional-round playoff loss to the 49ers. He played 37 percent of defensive snaps in his return, sacking Jimmy Garoppolo during his lone tackle of the game. The Packers have significant salary issues to address this offseason, and Smith's scheduled cap hit of just under $28 million for the 2022 effectively guarantees that to remain with the team, he would need to restructure his deal.

Smith (back) was activated off injured reserve Friday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Smith will be available for Saturday's divisional matchup with the 49ers. However, it remains unclear what kind of workload he will have. The star pass rusher has been on injured reserve since the season opener and underwent back surgery in late September, so it's a surprise just to see him back on the active roster. The Packers will also be getting back Whitney Mercilus (biceps). In corresponding moves, Green Bay released Isaac Yiadom and Jack Heflin.

The Packers are expected to activate Smith (back) from injured reserve for Saturday's game against the 49ers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Packers may get two of their best players back from lengthy absences this week, with CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder) listed as questionable on the final injury report. Alexander last played Week 4 and Smith in Week 1, with the pass rusher undergoing back surgery in late September. It's unclear what kind of workload Smith is expected to handle in his first game back, assuming he is in fact activated from IR.

The Packers have designated Smith (back) for return from IR, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Matt LaFleur said Smith will practice Wednesday, which is an encouraging step in his recovery from back surgery. Smith has been on injured reserve since Green Bay's season opener, and with the team beginning the postseason with a bye week, he will have a bit more time ramp up his on-field activity.