The Green Bay Packers have signed LB Jaylon Smith and placed LB Chauncey Rivers on injured reserve. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions Thursday.
(JAY-lin) Smith, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound, fifth-year player out of Notre Dame, was originally selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. The two-time Pro Bowler (2018-19) played in 68 games with 56 starts for the Cowboys, including starting all 16 games each season from 2018-20. Smith registered 596 tackles (408 solo), 19 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, 30 QB pressures, two interceptions, 20 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). He also started both postseason contests he played for Dallas (2018), recording 16 tackles (12 solo), two QB pressures and a pass defensed. Smith led the Cowboys in tackles for three consecutive seasons (2018-20), posting 150-plus tackles each year (150, 168, 161). He was the first Cowboys defender to top 150 tackles in three straight seasons since LB Bradie James (2008-10). Smith earned Dallas' Ed Block Courage award in 2017 after returning from a knee injury suffered in his final college game. Smith will wear No. 9 for the Packers.
K JJ Molson has switched to No. 11.
