Jacquies Smith Injury: Updates on Buccaneers DE's Hamstring and Return

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith is recovering from a hamstring injury but is ready to make his return to the field.

Continue for updates.

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Smith Active vs. Rams

Thursday, Dec. 17

The Buccaneers announced Smith will play in Week 15. 

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Smith Struggling to Stay Healthy in 2015

Smith has battled problems in his lower half for the last month, missing two games in November after suffering a sprained ankle in a 23-20 win over the Falcons. 

Smith went undrafted out of Missouri in 2012, and he didn't record a box-score statistic until the Buccaneers claimed him off waivers after the start of the 2014 season. 

However, it didn't take long for Smith to make an impact. In seven starts during the 2014 campaign, Smith recorded 6.5 sacks, 13 tackles and a fumble recovery.

That positive trajectory continued to start the 2015 season, as Smith recorded four sacks in his first two games—including three in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. 

"Last year it kind of took me awhile before I began to start playing fast," Smith said on Sept. 10, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. "Now that I know the ins and outs of this defense, everything the coaches are asking for, I can play a whole lot faster."

In nine games this season, Smith has nearly equaled his career high with six sacks to go along with three fumble recoveries. 

"He's a good football player," head coach Lovie Smith said, per Auman. "He's showed that, demonstrated that to us last year. We need his presence on the edge rushing the passer. He's a guy who plays hard every snap."

On a young team in need of tone-setters along the defensive line, the Bucs needs Smith at full strength in order to consistently strike fear into opposing quarterbacks and keep alive their slim playoff hopes.