This season, inside linebacker is a mess. In order to close off 2023, the Steelers are strengthening their practice squad with former Pro Bowl player Jaylon Smith.
On December 26, Doug Hendrickson, Smith’s agent, revealed via his X (formerly Twitter) account that Smith had signed a contract with the Steelers.
On December 27, the Steelers formally announced that Smith will be signing.
In the 2016 NFL Draft, Smith was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 34th overall pick. Due to a knee injury, Smith missed his initial season of play but made a comeback in 2017 to enjoy a good year.
After racking up 142 total tackles in 2019, including six for loss and 2.5 sacks, he was selected to the Pro Bowl.
Smith has played for the Las Vegas Raiders and the New Orleans Saints this season. On November 5, he made one appearance for the Raiders.
Since Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back weeks at the start of November, the Steelers have been weak at inside linebacker.
Before suffering their injuries, Alexander was possibly the team’s best covering linebacker while Holcomb was Pittsburgh’s best inside linebacker in terms of snaps.
Losing both of those players meant the Steelers would give fellow veteran Elandon Roberts everything he could handle. Since Holcomb’s injury, Roberts has played more than 80% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps in five of seven games.
Roberts left the two games in which he didn’t play a lot of snaps due to injuries.
Against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16, he tore his pectoral muscle. He was already ruled out of Week 17 by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin at his news conference on December 26.
Myles Jack and Mykal Walker emerged as Pittsburgh’s starting inside linebackers in the game against the Bengals when Roberts left due to an injury.
With the NFL expanding the size of practice squads in 2020, the Steelers have used their practice squad this season to stash potential veteran replacements. Signing Smith is just another example.
Typically after adding a veteran such as Smith, though, it takes a few weeks for the player to either adapt to the new system, get back into football shape or both.
So, it’s worth wondering what Smith will be able to contribute with only two weeks left in the regular season. But perhaps Smith could be ready for a significant role by wild card weekend if the Steelers make the playoffs.
At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Smith tore his left ACL and MCL, missing his rookie season in the NFL. He also had injury to his knee nerves.
However, Smith bounced back to record 81 total tackles in 2017, including 2 pass defenses, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
Smith amassed 498 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks over his four seasons with the Cowboys. He also had two interceptions, six forced fumbles, and twenty pass defenses.
On December 27, the Steelers announced that they have added safety Nate Meadows to the practice squad in addition to Smith.
