The Green Bay Packers have re-signed veteran running back Moe Smith as a free agent, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Wednesday.
The 6-foot, 235-pound Smith, the Atlanta Falcons' leading rusher in 2001, previously had signed with Green Bay Sept. 19, filling the roster vacancy created by placing offensive tackle Mark Tauscher on injured reserve following knee surgery.
Waived Sept. 25, Smith subsequently re-signed with Atlanta in the interim (Oct. 22) and had been inactive for two games before being released Nov. 22.
The former North Carolina A&T athlete, a third-year professional, had started 12 out of 16 games for the Falcons last season and paced Atlanta's ground game with 760 yards in 237 attempts, a 3.2-yard average, and 5 touchdowns, assuming full-time duties after Jamal Anderson was lost in Week Three with a knee injury. He also was Atlanta's second-leading scorer with 36 points on 6 touchdowns (one receiving) and seventh-leading receiver with 19 catches for 230 yards, a 12.1-yard average.
Originally signed by the Falcons as a free agent in 2000, Smith made the Atlanta roster following a strong preseason showing as a rookie when he led the team in rushing with 150 yards and a 4.4-yards per carry average.
Smith, who joined the Packers on the practice field today, has been reassigned jersey No. 43.
His signing leaves the Packers with one roster vacancy following Tuesday's release of cornerback/kick returner Darrien Gordon and running back Jay Graham.
