Sunday was not kind to an already thin Steelers defensive line as left defensive end Aaron Smith is likely out for the season after tearing his left triceps against the Miami Dolphins in third quarter. Smith will have an MRI on Tuesday back in Pittsburgh, but it is not looking good. If it is indeed torn, Smith will likely be placed on injured reserve Smith for the third time in the last four years. He might have played his last game as a Steeler as well
Smith wasn\’t the only injury on Sunday as left outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley suffered a hamstring, but said he will “definitely” be a go for next week\’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Also injured Sunday was right tackle Flozell Adams who went down with an ankle sprain. Head coach Mike Tomlin said it likely was a lower ankle sprain and Adams will likely be day-to-day next week and even possibly a game-day decision.
With Smith down, the Steelers will likely turn to Ziggy Hood to nail down the left end. Hood, the 2009 first round draft pick, had a great training camp this year, but has yet to make the huge jump in his second season. He said last week he has been slowed by an ankle injury, but now needs to show he is ready to start.
The Steelers could also once again be without right defensive end Brett Keisel next week as he was out today with a hamstring injury he suffered last week against Cleveland. Veteran Nick Eason started in his place today and would do so again next week if Keisel is still not ready.
It is also expected that the Steelers will sign a veteran 3-4 defensive end or two next week for depth. A name that jumps to the front is Charles Grant. Grant was released by the Chicago Bears last week. The Steelers also have Steve McLendon and Al Woods on the practice squad, but McLendon is more of a tackle while Woods is a very raw rookie project. Tomlin will update the situation at his weekly noon press conference on Tuesday.
