- Missed only one game in the first eight years of his career (Week 7 in 2021 with an oblique injury), playing in 129 games with 112 starts during the regular season and appearing in six postseason contests with five starts.
- Was one of only two NFL players (T.J. Watt) with 50-plus sacks (58), five-plus INTs (five) and five-plus forced fumbles (eight) from 2015-22.
- Started all 17 contests in 2022, leading the team in sacks (8½), tackles for a loss (nine) and QB hits (20). Was tied for No. 10 among NFL linebackers in QB hits (TruMedia).
- In 2021, started all 16 games he appeared in, recording 38 tackles (25 solo), nine sacks (No. 2 on the team), a team-best nine tackles for a loss and 17 QB hits (No. 2 on the team).
- Teamed with Rashan Gary in 2021 to become just the second linebacker duo in team history (since 1982) to both register nine-plus sacks in the same season.
- Appeared in 16 games with 13 starts in 2020 and finished No. 2 on the team in tackles for a loss (seven), tied for No. 2 in QB hits (11) and tied for No. 3 in sacks (four).
- Was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019 in his first season with the Packers after ranking No. 8 in the NFL with a career-best 12 sacks and finishing No. 2 on the team with 29 QB hits and 43 QB pressures.
- Joined LB Za'Darius Smith (13½) as the only teammate duo in the league in 2019 with 12-plus sacks each. They also became the only duo in NFL history with 12-plus sacks each in their first season as teammates and were the second tandem in Packers history (since 1982) to each have 10-plus sacks in a season (DE Reggie White, 13; LB Bryce Paup, 11 in 1993).
- In the 2019 Divisional playoff game vs. Seattle, joined Z. Smith to become just the second duo in team history to both register two-plus sacks in the same playoff game (LBs Mike Neal and Nick Perry at Washington in 2015 postseason).
- His 24½ sacks and 59 QB hits were the second most among Washington players from 2015-18 (DE Ryan Kerrigan, 46½ and 69).
- In 2017, registered eight sacks and two INTs to make him the first NFL linebacker since Ravens LB Terrell Suggs in 2011 to register eight-plus sacks and two-plus INTs in a season.
- Led all NFL rookies in sacks in 2015, the first Washington player to do so since LB Brian Orakpo in 2009.
- Dating back to 1982, recorded the second-most sacks (eight) by a Washington rookie behind the 11 that Orakpo registered in 2009.
2022 SEASON: Started all 17 contests, registering 59 tackles (38 solo), a team-best 8½ sacks, nine tackles for a loss (No. 1 on the team) and a team-high 20 QB hits...According to TruMedia, was tied for No. 10 among NFL linebackers in QB hits...At Minnesota (Sept. 11): Registered three tackles (two solo) as well as two QB hits. Took down RB Dalvin Cook for no gain midway through the first quarter and teamed with DL Jarran Reed to stop RB Alexander Mattison for a loss of a yard in the fourth quarter...Vs. Chicago (Sept. 18): Led the defense with seven tackles (four solo), two sacks, two tackles for a loss and three QB hits. Brought QB Justin FIelds down early in the second quarter for a loss of 5 yards and early in the fourth quarter for a loss of 10 yards. It was his eighth career game with two-plus sacks and his fifth as a Packer...Vs. New England (Oct. 4): Posted three tackles (one solo) and a QB hit and teamed with DL Dean Lowry to sack QB Bailey Zappe in the third quarter...Vs. N.Y. Giants (Oct. 9): Finished with four tackles (three solo), a team-high three QB hits and a tackle for a loss, and sacked QB Daniel Jones for a loss of 4 yards in the second quarter. Early in the third quarter, fought off a block to stop RB Saquon Barkley for no gain...At Buffalo (Oct. 30): Tied for the team lead with five tackles (four solo) and a tackle for a loss when he beat a pulling block by C Mitch Morse and dropped RB Devin Singletary for a loss of 4 yards early in the fourth quarter...Vs. Tennessee (Nov. 17): Posted five tackles (two solo), two QB hits, a tackle for a loss and 1½ sacks. Combined with LB Quay Walker to drop QB Ryan Tannehill for a loss of 9 yards on second-and-8 in the first quarter, forcing a third-and-17 the Titans did not convert. Sacked Tannehill again in the fourth quarter on third-and-5 to force a punt...At Philadelphia (Nov. 27): Finished with six tackles (three solo), a tackle for a loss and a QB hit, and split a sack with Reed late in the second quarter when they brought QB Jalen Hurts down for a loss of 11 yards on second-and-3...Vs. L.A. Rams (Dec. 19): Posted three tackles (two solo), four QB hits and two sacks. It marked his sixth two-sack game as a Packer, the most on the team since 2019. It was the 13th game of his career and the third of the season with more than one sack…At Miami (Dec. 25): Finished No. 3 on the team with five tackles (all solo), two QB hits and forced a fumble on a sack of QB Tua Tagovailoa that was recovered by the Dolphins. Marked his 22nd game recording at least one sack since joining the Packers in 2019, the most on the team over that span...Vs. Minnesota (Jan. 1): Finished with three tackles (one solo) and a QB hit. Early in the first quarter, with Minnesota at the Green Bay 1 after a blocked punt, teamed with Reed on a tackle of Cook for no gain on second down.
2021: Started all 16 regular-season contests he appeared in, recording 38 tackles (25 solo), nine sacks (No. 2 on the team), a team-best nine tackles for a loss and 17 QB hits (No. 2 on the team)...From Weeks 10-18, ranked No. 4 among NFL LBs in sacks (seven), No. 5 in QB hits (11) and tied for No. 5 in NextGen Stats QB pressures (29)...Missed the first game of his career (Week 7) due to an oblique injury, ending a streak of 102 consecutive games played...At Cincinnati (Oct. 10): Recorded four tackles (one solo), a sack, a QB hit and a tackle for a loss. Sacked QB Joe Burrow for a loss of 7 yards on third-and-4 early in the second quarter to force a punt...Vs. Seattle (Nov. 14): Recorded a tackle (solo), a sack, a tackle for a loss and a QB hit. With 22 seconds left in the game, chased down QB Russell Wilson for a 14-yard sack...At Minnesota (Nov. 21): Posted six tackles (four solo), two sacks, three QB hits, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. It was the sixth two-plus-sack game of his career. On the Vikings' first drive of the game, took down Cook for a loss of a yard twice (once with DL Tyler Lancaster) and sacked QB Kirk Cousins for a loss of 10 yards on third-and-5 to force a punt. Late in the third quarter, registered a sack/forced fumble on Cousins on third-and-10 that was recovered by Minnesota, forcing a punt...Vs. Chicago (Dec. 12): Registered four tackles (three solo), a team-best two sacks, a forced fumble and a tackle for a loss and tied for the team lead with three QB hits. Forced a fumble on a sack of Fields that was recovered by Gary at the Bears' 23 and Green Bay scored a TD on the next play to take an eight-point lead with just over eight minutes left in the third quarter...At Baltimore (Dec. 19): Finished with three tackles (two solo), a QB hit and a team-best four QB pressures (NextGen Stats). Pressured QB Tyler Huntley on fourth-and-3 at the Green Bay 3, forcing him outside where LB De'Vondre Campbell finished the play with a 4-yard sack...Vs. Cleveland (Dec. 25): Posted three tackles (two solo), a sack, a tackle for a loss and a QB hit. With just over 10 minutes left in the game, sacked QB Baker Mayfield for a loss of 2 yards to force a third-and-14 that Cleveland did not convert...Vs. Minnesota (Jan. 2): Finished with four tackles (three solo), a sack, two tackles for a loss, a QB hit and a pass defensed. In the first quarter, broke up a pass to FB C.J. Ham in the flat on fourth-and-3, giving Green Bay the ball at its own 47. With just under three minutes to play in the second quarter, sacked QB Sean Mannion for a loss of 5 yards on third-and-10, forcing a punt. Early in the third quarter, took down Cook for a loss of 5 yards on first down...Vs. San Francisco (NFC Divisional, Jan. 22): Posted a team-high nine tackles (six solo), his most in a postseason game. It also tied his regular-season high for a single game (two times in 2019).
2020: Played in all 16 games with 13 starts, recording 42 tackles (29 solo), seven tackles for a loss (No. 2 on the team), 11 QB hits (tied for No. 2 on the team), four sacks (tied for No. 3 on the team), three passes defensed (tied for No. 1 among Packer LBs) and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown...Started both postseason contests, posting six tackles (four solo), two QB hits and two passes defensed...Vs. Detroit (Sept. 20): Recorded three tackles (two solo), a half-sack and a QB hit. With just over three minutes to play in the game, split a sack of QB Matthew Stafford with Gary to force a fourth-and-16 the Lions did not convert...At Houston (Oct. 25): Posted three tackles (two solo) and a tackle for a loss. Brought QB Deshaun Watson down for a loss of a yard on a run play on fourth-and-1, giving Green Bay the ball at the Texans' 46...At San Francisco (Nov. 5): Registered two tackles (one solo) and a pass defensed, and tied for the team lead with two QB hits. Put pressure on QB Nick Mullens early in the second quarter, forcing a throw that was intercepted by S Raven Greene and returned to the Green Bay 38. The Packers would score a TD on the ensuing drive to take a 14-3 lead...Vs. Chicago (Nov. 29): Tallied three tackles (two solo), a sack, two QB hits and a tackle for a loss and returned a QB Mitchell Trubisky fumble caused by Za'Darius Smith 14 yards for a TD to give Green Bay a 27-3 lead late in the second quarter...Vs. Philadelphia (Dec. 6): Finished second among LBs with five tackles (three solo), a half-sack, a tackle for a loss, a QB hit and a pass defensed. Teamed with Z. Smith to sack Hurts for a loss of 3 yards on second-and-10 from the Eagles' 41-yard line with Green Bay up seven with just under four minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Eagles did not convert the third-and-13 and punted. Green Bay scored a TD on the ensuing drive to go up by 14. With under two minutes to play, tipped a Hurts pass that was intercepted by S Darnell Savage, sealing the victory...Vs. L.A. Rams (NFC Divisional, Jan. 16): Recorded three tackles (two solo), a QB hit and two passes defensed. On the Rams' first drive, deflected a pass intended for WR Robert Woods on third down to force a punt. On the next possession, stopped RB Cam Akers after a gain of 1 yard on third-and-2 to force a fourth down and then a FG after the Rams had a false start.
2019: Started all 16 games for the fourth straight season and registered a career-high 75 tackles (42 solo), a career-best 12 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, three passes defensed, 29 QB hits (No. 2 on the team) and 43 QB pressures (No. 2 on the team)...Ranked No. 8 in the league in sacks...Was tied for No. 2 in the league in third-down sacks with seven...Posted four games with 1½-plus sacks, tied for No. 4 in the NFL...Was named an alternate for the Pro Bowl...Joined Z. Smith as the only teammate duo in the league with 12-plus sacks each, the first duo in team history (since 1982) to both register 12-plus sacks in the same season…Started both playoff games and posted seven tackles (four solo), two sacks, five QB pressures and three QB hits…At Chicago (Sept. 5): Finished with eight tackles (three solo), a team-high 1½ sacks, a pass defensed, two QB pressures and five QB hits in his Green Bay debut. Early in the third quarter, posted a shared zero-yard sack of Trubisky with DL Kenny Clark to force a three-and-out. Sealed the win with a fourth-down sack with just over a minute remaining in the game, running a stunt with Z. Smith to beat LG Cody Whitehair on his way to bringing down Trubisky for an 11-yard loss…Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 15): Posted four tackles (three solo), an INT, four QB pressures and three QB hits. Late in the first half, made an INT after Savage got a hand in to break up Cousins' pass over the middle intended for WR Stefon Diggs, snaring the deflected pass and taking it 5 yards to the Minnesota 47. It gave him at least one INT in each of the last four seasons, one of only seven NFL linebackers to accomplish that feat (2016-19)…Vs. Denver (Sept. 22): Matched his career high with three sacks (at Philadelphia, Dec. 26, 2015) to go with six tackles (four solo), three QB pressures and a QB hit. On Denver's opening drive, fought off a block from RT Elijah Wilkinson to get to QB Joe Flacco for a 4-yard sack to force a three-and-out after the Broncos began the drive at the Green Bay 43. Late in the first half, blew by Wilkinson to sack Flacco for a 7-yard loss as he punched the ball out, a fumble that was recovered by Gary at the Denver 5 that set up a Green Bay TD. Beat Wilkinson again late in the fourth quarter to bring down Flacco for a 6-yard sack to force a turnover on downs. Earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance…At Dallas (Oct. 6): Finished with four tackles (three solo), a sack, four QB hits and three QB pressures. Midway through the second quarter, made an inside move to quickly beat RT La'el Collins on his way to a 3-yard sack of QB Dak Prescott on third down to force a Dallas punt…Vs. Detroit (Oct. 14): Recorded five tackles (two solo), 1½ sacks and a QB hit. Early in the third quarter, came around the left end to sack Stafford along with LB Kyler Fackrell for a 9-yard loss to force a three-and-out for the Lions. Later in the third quarter, got a great jump and beat RT Rick Wagner to quickly sack Stafford for an 8-yard loss on third down to force a punt…Vs. Carolina (Nov. 10): Matched his career high from the previous week at LAC with nine tackles (seven solo) along with two sacks, two QB hits and two QB pressures. On a third-and-7 in the second quarter, blew by LT Dennis Daley to bring down QB Kyle Allen for a 7-yard sack. Midway through the fourth quarter, beat LT Taylor Moton to get to Allen for an 11-yard loss on third-and-8. On the final play of the game, went low to make a tackle of RB Christian McCaffrey for just a 1-yard gain on second-and-goal from the 2 to seal the Packers' 24-16 win…Vs. Chicago (Dec. 15): Posted six tackles (four solo), a tackle for a loss, a team-high six QB pressures and a QB hit...Vs. Seattle (NFC Divisional, Jan. 12): Posted four tackles (two solo), two sacks, four QB pressures and three QB hits. With the Packers leading, 28-23, late in the fourth quarter, blew by TE Jacob Hollister and RT Germain Ifedi to bring down Wilson for a 6-yard sack on third down, forcing the Seahawks to punt as the Green Bay offense was able to run out the clock in the win. Teamed with Z. Smith (two sacks) to become just the second duo in franchise history (Neal and Perry at Washington in 2016 playoffs) to both register two-plus sacks in the same postseason game.
2018: Started all 16 games for the third consecutive season and registered 53 tackles (30 solo), four sacks, an INT, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery…Ranked No. 2 on the team with 16 QB hits…Vs. Dallas (Oct. 21): Scored his first career TD on a fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter as a result of a Kerrigan strip-sack. Added an assisted tackle, two QB hits and a pass defensed…At Tampa Bay (Nov. 11): Registered three tackles (two solo) and a sack. With less than four minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the Bucs on the Washington 2-yard line, sacked QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, and as he was swinging Fitzpatrick to the ground, Kerrigan slapped the ball out of the QB's hand and recovered it to give Washington the ball at the 7-yard line…Vs. Houston (Nov. 18): Recorded four tackles (three solo), a sack, two QB hits, an INT and a pass defensed. Late in the second quarter, sacked Watson for a loss of 12 yards on first down on a drive that ended in a punt two plays later. In the third quarter, picked off Watson at the 16-yard line and returned it 3 yards to the Houston 13. Washington would score two plays later to pull within three points…At Dallas (Nov. 22): Tallied eight tackles (three solo) and 1½ sacks. Teamed with Kerrigan late in the second quarter to sack Prescott for a loss of 13 yards on second-and-4 at the Washington 4-yard line on a drive that resulted in a field goal. On the next drive, sacked Prescott for a loss of 7 yards on second-and-10 and the Cowboys punted two plays later.
2017: Started all 16 games, recording 42 tackles (31 solo), a career-best two INTs, eight sacks, a team-high 21 QB hits, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…Was one of only three defensive players (Kerrigan, S D.J. Swearinger) to start all 16 games for Washington...Vs. Oakland (Sept. 24): Registered two solo tackles, a sack and a pass defensed. Posted a sack in three consecutive games for the first time since Weeks 15-17 of the 2015 season...At Kansas City (Oct. 2): Made two tackles (one solo), including a sack on the Chiefs' first play from scrimmage. Marked a career-best fourth straight game with a sack, tying for the eighth-longest streak in Washington history (since 1982). Joined Vikings DE Everson Griffen and Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence as the only players in the league to post a sack in each of the first four games in 2017…Vs. San Francisco (Oct. 15): Posted two tackles, a half-sack and a pass defensed. Joined DE/LB Marco Coleman (2000), DE Fred Stokes (1991) and DE Charles Mann (1989) as the only players in team history to record at least half a sack in each of the first five games of a season since the NFL adopted sacks as an official statistic in 1982...Vs. Arizona (Dec. 17): Tallied three solo tackles, a sack, an INT and a fumble recovery. Became the first member of the franchise to record a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception in a single game since LB Monte Coleman vs. Atlanta on Dec. 19, 1993...At N.Y. Giants (Dec. 31): Recorded three tackles (two solo) and an INT to become the first Washington LB to record multiple INTs in a single season since Perry Riley Jr. (two) in 2015 and the first OLB to accomplish the feat for Washington since Rob Jackson (four) in 2012.
2016: Started all 16 games, compiling 38 tackles (22 solo), 4½ sacks, 12 QB hits, three passes defensed and an INT...Was one of seven NFL linebackers to register four-plus sacks and an INT in 2016…Vs. Philadelphia (Oct. 16): Posted two tackles (one solo) and a half-sack. With a seven-point lead and the Eagles at their own 49-yard line with under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, teamed with DE Trent Murphy to take down QB Carson Wentz and force a fourth-and-24 and a Philadelphia punt…At Detroit (Oct. 23): Recorded two solo tackles and a sack, bringing down Stafford in the fourth quarter to force a third-and-14 from the Detroit 38-yard line that the Lions did not convert, resulting in a punt…Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 13): Tallied four tackles (two solo), two sacks and the first interception of his career. Became only the fourth member of the franchise to record two sacks and an interception in a single game since 1982, joining LB Marcus Washington (Dec. 18, 2005), CB Shawn Springs (Dec. 26, 2004) and Coleman (Dec. 19, 1993)...At Chicago (Dec. 24): Posted a 5-yard sack and blocked a 22-yard FG attempt by K Connor Barth. The block was the first of Smith's career and the team's first since Nov. 4, 2012 (CB DeAngelo Hall vs. Carolina).
2015: Played in all 16 regular-season games and one postseason contest for Washington…Named to Gil Brandt's NFL.com All-Rookie squad…Posted 30 tackles (20 solo), eight sacks, four passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on defense and recorded five tackles and a forced fumble on special teams...Led all NFL rookies in sacks, becoming the first member of Washington to do so since Orakpo in 2009...Dating back to 1982, recorded the second-most sacks by a Washington rookie behind the 11 that Orakpo registered in 2009…Vs. Miami (Sept. 13): Made his NFL debut and recorded his first career sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery on a single play when he jarred the ball loose from Tannehill and recovered the ball 25 yards downfield. Also forced a fumble on special teams...At Philadelphia (Dec. 26): Posted four tackles (three solo), a career-high three sacks and a forced fumble in a division-clinching win. It was the first multi-sack game of his career. His three sacks were tied for the second most in a game by a Washington rookie (Orakpo, four at Oakland, Dec. 13, 2013)...At Dallas (Jan. 3): Posted a sack for the third consecutive game for the first time in his career...Vs. Green Bay (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 10): Tallied three tackles (two solo), including a 5-yard sack of QB Aaron Rodgers for a safety. The safety was the team's first in the postseason since recording a team safety in the NFC Divisional round vs. the Chicago Bears on Dec. 30, 1984…2015 Draft: Selected by Washington in the second round (38th overall).
COLLEGE: Played collegiately at Mississippi State from 2011-14, appearing in 47 games with 24 starts...Recorded 134 career tackles (73 solo), 27 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, five forced fumbles and two INTs (one returned for a TD)...Played in the 2015 Senior Bowl…Majored in interdisciplinary studies…Senior season (2014): Started all 13 games and became the first player in SEC history to be named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week for three consecutive weeks (vs. Southern Miss, vs. UAB, at South Alabama)…Led the team in sacks (nine), tackles for a loss (15) and QB hurries (15) en route to earning first-team All-SEC honors from the league's coaches…Blocked two FGs on the season, both coming in the first three games…Also tallied two INTs, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles...Junior season (2013): Started 11 of the 12 games in which he played, posting 44 tackles (29 solo), 6½ tackles for a loss, 2½ sacks, a forced fumble and three passes defensed…Named Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Liberty Bowl vs. Rice (Dec. 31) after recording a game-high six tackles (four solo)...Sophomore season (2012): Played in all 13 games and led the team with 4½ sacks…Registered 35 tackles (17 solo), 5½ tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery...Freshman season (2011): Played in the final nine games of the season and posted seven tackles (three solo), a forced fumble and a pass defensed.
PERSONAL: Given name Preston Demarquis Smith…Born in Atlanta, Ga. …Married, wife's name is Realyn...Has two daughters, Lauren and Phoenix...High school: Resided in Lithonia, Ga., while attending Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., where he was credited with 68 total tackles and nine sacks as a senior for the 9-2 Jaguars...As a junior, played on an 11-1 squad that won the Region 2 crown...Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com...Played for a Stephenson team that had 29 of 32 senior players sign a college scholarship…Community involvement: Signed autographs to raise money for The Salvation Army…Attended Youth For Tomorrow's Burgundy & Gold Banquet to support local teenage boys and girls experiencing traumatic circumstances with their families...Led elementary-school students through drills to promote physical fitness, healthy lifestyle habits and proper nutrition at the Fuel Up to Play 60 mini-combine...Participated in a Marine Corps Quantico tour to experience Marine life while stationed on base...Participated in the inaugural Washington Charity Golf Classic to benefit children in the community...Attended the Rookie Community Club's Military Appreciation BBQ to honor active-duty service members and their families, as well as Wounded Warriors...Assembled care packages for victims of domestic violence in collaboration with the Fear 2 Freedom and Rookie Community Club.
