The Green Bay Packers have released RB Brandon Saine and LB D.J. Smith. The transactions were announced Wednesday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.
Saine, who signed with the Packers as a non-drafted free agent out of Ohio State in July 2011, appeared in 14 games for the team from 2011-12. He rushed for 69 yards on 18 carries (3.8 avg.) and caught 10 passes for 69 yards (6.9 avg.) as a rookie in '11. Saine appeared in six contests in 2012 before sustaining a season-ending knee injury at Houston in Week 6.
Smith, who was drafted by the Packers out of Appalachian State with one of the team's three sixth-round picks in 2011, played in 22 games with nine starts from 2011-12. He posted 80 tackles (61 solo), two sacks, one interception and six passes defensed in his two seasons with the club. Smith appeared in six games in 2012 before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Houston in Week 6.
