Green Bay Packers sign ex-Dallas Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith

Oct. 7 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers signed former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith to a short-term contract Thursday, the team announced.

Smith's agent, Doug Hendrickson of Wasserman, told ESPN that it is a one-year deal between the sides.

The Cowboys released Smith on Tuesday in a surprising mid-season move. The decision came as a surprise since Smith hasn't missed a game in his NFL career, and the Cowboys are on the hook for the entirety of his $7.2 million base salary this season due to the veteran termination pay rules.

Smith, however, saw a diminished role with the Cowboys after the emergence of first-round draft pick Micah Parsons. Dallas also has Leighton Vander Esch and Keanu Neal on its roster.

The Cowboys selected Smith in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Notre Dame. He made his NFL debut in 2017 and has played in every game since.

In 68 career games with the Cowboys, Smith has notched 516 total tackles, nine sacks, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 20 passes defensed.

Smith fills the roster spot of outside linebacker Chauncey Rivers, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday. ESPN reported that Rivers suffered a torn ACL near the end of Wednesday's practice.