Packers activate Za'Darius Smith, Whitney Mercilus from IR

The Green Bay Packers defense got a huge boost ahead of their postseason matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. The team activated linebackers Za'Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus from the injured reserve Friday, making them both available for the Saturday playoff game.

Smith, 29, has been out of action since September after suffering a back injury that required surgery to repair. The former Baltimore Ravens linebacker joined the Packers as a free agent in 2019 and immediately emerged as one of the most formidable pass-rushers in the NFL. He tallied 26 sacks in his first two seasons in Green Bay and earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods.

Mercilus, 31, tore his bicep in a November game, just a few weeks after he was signed by the Packers in October. In four games with Green Bay before his injury, Mercilus had one sack. Prior to joining the Packers, Mercilus spent nine-and-a-half seasons with the Houston Texans, racking up 57 sacks.

Despite being without Smith for the majority of the season, the Packers still finished 15th in total sacks with the duo of Rashan Gary and Preston Smith combining for 18.5.

Green Bay finished the regular season with a 13-4 record and the top seed in the NFC.