GREEN BAY, Wis. . And it could be on the way for the struggling defense, too.Two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker ZaDarius Smith has been designated for return from injured reserve following the back injury that cost him all but 18 snaps this season. Well see how he comes in on Wednesday, coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday. If we can get him back out on the practice field, then well let him go. I want to kind of temper the expectations. Heres a guy that hasnt practiced since really that New Orleans game. Well get him back out there and see how he looks, see what type of Ozzie Albies Jersey shape hes in. If he progre ses and checks all the boxes, then hell be back out on the field.The potential playoff returns for Smith and cornerback Jaire Alexander could be impeccably timed. From Game 4 through Game 10, the Packers allowed 13.9 points per game. Eddie Mathews Jersey . Alexander suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4 against Pittsburgh. He might have returned for the finale at Detroit had he not landed on the COVID list and practiced only once last week. The expectation is hell join Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas in the defensive backfield for the playoffs.Just to continue to get him out there with the guys on defense, LaFleur said of the plan for Alexander. Theres a lot of conversations that are taking place right now because we have a pretty good problem in that weve got some other pretty good players, especially at the corner position, and how do you get all these guys out on the gra s at the same time and where are you placing them. Those are some of the that were kind of working through as a staff right now is how to put all these guys on the field and then put them in a position to be succe sful.Smith has two weeks to get ready for the playoffs. Thats obviously not much time. But with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary entrenched as the outside linebackers, the Packers dont need ZaDarius Smith to play 50 snaps against whoever they will face in two weeks. Rather, if Smith can impact the game as a pa s rusher, hell add an important piece to the defensive puzzle in a playoff field filled with quality quarterbacks.Over the last three seasons, Smith is 12th in the league with 26 sacks. And thats with one cameo performance in Week Tom Glavine Jersey 1 against the Saints in which he didnt lay a finger on Jameis Winston aside from a questionable roughing-the-pa ser penalty that erased an interception. Scroll to ContinueSmith practiced only once during training camp he was limited to individual drills that day before Bobby Cox Jersey getting shut down. He returned for Week 1 of the regular season, practicing three times before giving it a go in the opener. The Packers shut him down again in hopes of getting Smith past his injury. Why not try to get him as healthy as po sible so we can have him more readily available, coach Matt LaFleur said on Sept. 17. . The Packers have been hopeful that Smith could return to help this season but thats never been the expectation. Now, his return might be more than wishful thinking.Its big, position coach Mike Smith said last week. Were talking about a guy that Babe Ruth Jersey s been a leader of our defense, a guy thats had a lot of succe s, a guy that plays the game the way it should be played. We talk about all the time the toughne s and how aggre sive he is and his mindset towards the game. I mean, its big. Youve got to scheme around Z if youre on offense. Same thing with my other two guys. But his leadership that he brings is going to be big.While injuries have impacted every team this season, the Packers are in the rare position of getting an influx of big-time talent. , and Randall Cobb and Alexander aren't far behind. Said Mike Smith: When hes ready to roll hell be ready to roll. He wont be shy going in there. Hell throw his body around.