Pro Football weekly

The Jacksonville Jaguars have activated Smith from injured reserve and placed safety Dwight Lowery on IR with a foot injury.||||||| Smith likely will start Sunday's game against New England. Smith missed the first 14 games of the season because of a groin injury. He was placed on IR on Oct. 25, with the designation to return. He returned to practice a couple of weeks ago and was cleared to play this week.

According to the Florida Times-Union, Smith will not play when the Jaguars play the Packers Sunday due to a groin injury.||||||| Smith sat out practice on Wednesday and hasn’t played all season after suffering the groin injury in training camp.

The Jaguars (1-4) rank 29th in total defense, a significant drop-off from 2011, but believe they can turn things around with Smith's expected return this week against the Oakland Raiders (1-5) on Sunday.||||||| Smith has been a cornerstone of Jacksonville's defense for nearly a decade, playing all three linebacker spots and consistently making key plays all over the field. He also missed just three games during his first eight years. So sitting out the first five games this season with a groin injury has been frustrating for him and trying for his defensive teammates.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without Smith for the season opener at Minnesota.||||||| Coach Mike Mularkey ruled Smith out Friday, saying he had a setback with his groin injury earlier in the week.