Aaron Smith, long recognized by Steeler Nation as one of the most underrated players in all of football, practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday. Smith has been sidelined with a triceps injury sustained during the Steelers’ Week 7 win over Miami. A week or so ago, the best guess was that Smith wouldn’t be ready until the Super Bowl. But the prognosis has changed slightly since then, and Smith might be available to take 10-15 snaps against the Jets. Head coach Mike Tomlin has stated that Evander ‘Ziggy’ Hood has more than earned the right to retain his starting job. The hope though is that Smith might be able to spell Hood on at least a handful of plays, or somehow be rotated in along the defensive line. We’ll see. Tricep injuries are notoriously painful, and though the Steelers are in a ‘do-or-die’ situation, I don’t think anybody within the organization or fanbase wants to see Smith risk injuring himself further.
Watch/listen to Smith address the media before Wednesday’s practice
Here’s the rest of the Wednesday injury report for the six-time champs:
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday — S Will Allen (knee), WR Arnaz Battle (illness), CB Bryant McFadden (abdomen), S Troy Polamalu (achilles)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
DE Aaron Smith (triceps)
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