Shaky

Smithson

A candidate for the Packers’ final receiver spot, Smithson suffered an undisclosed injury in the preseason opener, and never suited up again. An undrafted free agent out of Utah last year, this will be the second consecutive season he’s spent on injured reserve. He won’t be a realistic candidate for a roster spot in 2013.

It’s the fallout from Donald Driver’s restructuring. Smithson is more of a return specialist while Gurley and Borel were both awarded pay hikes to stay on the practice squad last season. The final spot will likely come down to the 6'4" jump-ball specialist Gurley versus the converted QB Borel, with the loser joining Smithson on the waiver wire in early September.

The Journal-Sentinel expects the Packers to keep six receivers for the first time in the Mike McCarthy era. However, with five spots already locked up and Diondre Borel and Tori Gurley the favorites for the sixth, Smithson and Moss are both still likely on the outside looking in. A dynamic returner in college, Smithson missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury.

Smithson was part of the trio -- along with Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel -- getting talked up in Packers camp as “more than just camp bodies” last year. None of the three made the team, and Smithson was never a realistic candidate.

Smithson was a difference-making return man at Utah, but went undrafted in April possibly because of the league’s new return rules. We suspect he’ll spend the entire season on the I.R. list and be brought back for 2012 camp.