Foo Fighters Confirm Pat Smear Will Sit Out Tour After Gardening Injury

The Foo Fighters have announced that longtime guitarist Pat Smear will be stepping away from the stage for the band’s immediate tour dates. The news comes following a New Year's injury that has left the rock legend with multiple broken bones in his foot.

The “Bizarre Gardening Accident”

In a statement that blends concern with the band's signature humor, the Foo Fighters revealed that Smear was injured in what they described as a “bizarre gardening accident.” Fans of the 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap will recognize the phrasing as a classic nod to the fictional band’s ill-fated drummers. While the description is cheeky, the injury is real: Smear has “smashed the sh*t” out of his left foot, requiring a period of rest and recovery that will keep him off the road for the remainder of January.

Official Band Statement

The band shared the news via Instagram on January 7, 2026, accompanied by a mock tabloid magazine cover featuring a smiling Smear being wheeled away on a stretcher. The official statement reads:

“BREAKING NEWS! In the classic tradition of rockstars having bizarre gardening accidents, Pat Smear has apparently rung in the new year by smashing the shit out of his left foot. This means he’ll unfortunately be missing a few shows while the multiple broken bones in his foot heal. We’ll miss our beloved Pat as much as you will, but we want him fully healed and back on his feet as soon as possible.”

Who is Replacing Pat Smear?

To ensure the shows go on, the Foo Fighters have tapped Jason Falkner to fill in on guitar. Falkner is a highly respected multi-instrumentalist and “guitar wizard” known for his work with:

• Beck

• St. Vincent

• Jellyfish

• Noel Gallagher

The band expressed full confidence in Falkner, stating he will be “filling in for Pat while he's on the mend.”

Impacted 2026 Tour Dates

Smear is expected to miss at least three major performances scheduled for January 2026. These include:

The January 14 show at the Kia Forum is particularly significant, as it serves as a benefit for Los Angeles homeless charities and coincides with frontman Dave Grohl’s 57th birthday.

When Will Pat Smear Return?

While an exact return date hasn't been set, the injury is not expected to sideline Smear for the entire year. Following the January run, the Foo Fighters have a break in their schedule until May.

Industry insiders and current tour schedules suggest Smear is aiming to rejoin the lineup for:

• Welcome To Rockville (Daytona Beach, FL) – May 8, 2026

• Take Cover European Tour – Launching June 10 in Oslo, Norway

The band has a massive summer ahead, with stadium dates across North America and Europe alongside Queens of the Stone Age, and fans are hopeful that Smear will be “back on his feet” in time for the festival circuit.