The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-3 entering Week 11 of the 2023 regular season. There have been ups and downs paired with a wildly inconsistent offense, but somehow, the AFC North crown is well within reach as Thanksgiving approaches. A lot of the attention the rest of the way will be focused on Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada and quarterback, Kenny Pickett, while TJ Watt's quest for a second AP Defensive Player of the Year Award is worthy of discussion. In the third aspect of the game, special teams, the top story will continue to be Chris Boswell's automatic leg and Pressley Harvin III's inconsistencies.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers kicker, Chris Boswell (#9) jogs off the field at Acrisure Stadium during warmups prior to a 2022 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA.
Special teams coordinator, Danny Smith has been with the Steelers for 10 seasons. His unit has surely had both positives and negatives during his tenure. He became big news after the team's Week 10 win over the Green Bay Packers. He was wiped out on the sideline on the final play of the game after a Damontae Kazee interception.
Watch Rodney Williams here. Yinzer Army medal commendation stuff.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) November 12, 2023
Sees a comrade down (Danny Smith) and drags him to safety.
pic.twitter.com/QgCdrAxKhC
It caused a bit of a scrum, but all was fine on the Steelers' sideline because the play meant that Pittsburgh was victorious. Speaking with the media on Thursday, Smith had an unusual amount of reporters around him. They didn't seem to be interested in talking about special teams, however. The topic of discussion was revolving him taking the big hit.
Chris Adamski Twitter / TribLive
Steelers special teams coordinator, Danny Smith speaks to the media prior to a 2023 team practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
He explained to the group that the hit didn't feel all that great, and to the media's surprise, he is actually dealing with a little more serious of an injury than many originally expected.
"This one hurt. I got a torn rotator cuff [in] three spots. But, I'm good."
One of the reporters needed to clarify with him that what Smith was saying was in relation to the sideline hit he took against the Packers. Smith went on to confirm that he was indeed injured.
"Yes. I got the MRI."
In a hilarious development, whoever the Steelers public relations person was jumped in and asked the media if anyone had any questions that were relevant to special teams, and not Smith's shoulder. He sure is one tough dude and one could expect that he may need surgery at some point if his rotator cuff is torn in three different spots. That won't stop him from coaching, though.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The Steelers coaching staff admitted that they have no idea what they will do with the new kickoff rule change.
Steelers Now Focusing On Big Divisional Matchup In Week 11
Special teams could come up big for Pittsburgh in a huge AFC North battle against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Smith's group has often come up with big plays in these types of games. A blocked extra point in Week 10 versus the Packers was a huge momentum-shifting play. Whether it be a blocked punt, or field goal/extra point, Smith will be the brains behind it. Expect him to be on the sidelines, chewing an insane amount of gun, while he fights through the pain of a torn rotator cuff.
Did you think that Smith would have suffered this bad of an injury after being taken out against Green Bay? Let us know in the comments below!
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