Jaylen Smith Won Six Starts, Lost His Job, Then Lost His Health

Smith held down strong-side linebacker for six games while Michael Griffin II rehabbed an ankle, then was moved to the reserve roster the moment Griffin (35 defensive tackles, one forced fumble) was cleared. Smith is now listed as questionable with a hip injury after sitting out Thursday's practice — a brutal sequence for a Hamilton-born national who did exactly what the depth chart demanded. Winnipeg didn't ease Griffin back in either; he returns as a day-one starter straight into the lineup.