The Green Bay Packers will return a veteran starter on defense for Thursday night’s showdown with the Arizona Cardinals.
Outside linebacker Preston Smith, who missed a game for the first time in his NFL career last week, is back and officially active for the Packers. He was questionable with an oblique injury. Expect Smith to start opposite Rashan Gary, with veteran Whitney Mercilus mixed in.
The Packers won’t have cornerback Kevin King, who will miss his third straight game with a shoulder injury. Linebacker Jaylon Smith, who played 27 snaps the last two games, is also inactive. He is a healthy scratch.
The Packers’ inactives against the Cardinals:
CB Kevin King
LB Jaylon Smith
DL Jack Heflin
S Vernon Scott
OLB La’Darius Hamilton
OL Dennis Kelly
The Cardinals have receiver DeAndre Hopkins active, but J.J. Watt is out and so is center Max Garcia. Arizona’s offensive line will be down to a third-string center. Keep that in mind if Kenny Clark has a big impact on the game.
The Cardinals inactives:
DL J.J. Watt
OL Max Garcia
WR Andy Isabella
DL Richard Lawrence
RB Eno Benjamin
QB Chris Streveler
The Packers also won’t have edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, left tackle David Bakhtiari, receiver Davante Adams, cornerback Jaire Alexander, center Josh Myers and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Center Rodney Hudson and tight end Maxx Williams are on injured reserve for the Cardinals.
The Packers and Cardinals will kick off from State Farm Stadium in Glendale at 7:20 p.m. CT.
