With the Pittsburgh Steelers losing another inside linebacker on Saturday, the team is bringing in another veteran to their practice squad. According to his agent former second round pick Jaylon Smith is signing with the Steelers. Smith has spent time with the New Orleans Saints, and Las Vegas Raiders so far during the 2023 NFL season. Smith joins veterans Blake Martinez, Myles Jack, Mykal Walker, and Mark Robinson on a team that has already lost Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander, and now Elandon Roberts to injury. Roberts hasn't been placed on injured reserve yet for his pectoral injury, but Mike Tomlin ruled him out for Week 17 in Seattle.
NY Post
Smith, 28, played for the New York Giants last season recording 88 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and one sack. He has played in one game this season for the Raiders against the Giants. During that game he recorded 2 tackles. He was inactive for the two games after he made his Raiders debut before he was released.
Congrats @thejaylonsmith for signing with the @steelers
— Doug Hendrickson (@DHendrickson41) December 27, 2023
Originally selected in the second round by the Cowboys in 2016. In eight seasons in the NFL the Fort Wayne, Ind. native has appeared in 88 regular season games with 69 starts and recorded 706 tackles (472 solo), 11 sacks, two interceptions, 21 passes defensed, six forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown. He's started all four postseason games he's appeared in, posting 37 tackles and a pass defense.
As a star linebacker at Notre Dame, it was believed he would be the first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but Smith suffered a devastating knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State. A horrendous ACL injury that left Smith with nerve damage would cost him millions of dollars. Smith fell out of the first round before being drafted with the 34th pick in the second round. The ACL injury would also cost Smith his entire rookie season as he wouldn't see the field until his second year.
After starting 48 straight games from 2018 to 2020 for the Cowboys Smith's career would take a downturn. During the 2021 season Smith would be released by the Cowboys and eventually sign with the Green Bay Packers before finishing the season with the Giants. He'd finish 2021 with 19 total tackles. He made 11 starts for the Giants last year.
It's unlikely that Smith would see any action for the Steelers until the playoffs if they're able to squeak in. It took Martinez, and Jack multiple weeks before seeing any game time action. Jack replaced Roberts on Saturday and recorded a sack on Jake Browning.
#SteelerNation
