A day after bringing back cornerback Corey Ballentine, the Green Bay Packers have signed another familiar face to add depth in the middle of training camp. On Tuesday, the team agreed to terms with offensive lineman Lecitus Smith, who spent time with the Packers last year. The News was first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber. As a corresponding move, the team waived/injured wide receiver Sam Brown.
Originally a sixth-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, Smith was signed by the Packers in May 2024, and spent all of last year’s training camp in Green Bay. He didn’t make the 53-man roster, but was signed back to the practice squad until October, when he was signed off the Packers’ PS by the New England Patriots.
Cut by New England in March, he had been claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was without a team since May. Throughout his NFL career, Lecitus Smith has had 202 snaps at right guard, eight at left guard, and two as a sixth lineman.
For the Packers, he only had preseason snaps. In 2024, he appeared in all three exhibition games, with 79 snaps at left guard, 41 at center, and three at right guard. He allowed four pressures with a 96.2% blocking efficiency.
Depth issues
The Packers have three offensive linemen handling some type of injury, including rookie John Williams with a longer-term back problem. Starting left tackle Rasheed Walker has a groin injury, and last year’s sixth-round pick Travis Glover has a shoulder issue. All of them missed practice on Tuesday.
Lecitus Smith’s positional versatility, since he can play all three spots along the interior of the offensive line, and knowledge of Matt LaFleur’s system are helpful at this time of the year. On Saturday, the Packers make their first preseason game, against the New York Jets.
