Tag: Preston Smith

T.J. Watt suffers apparent ankle injury in Week 15 vs Eagles

T.J. Watt’s late-game injury clouds the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff outlook, but their depth at linebacker offers hope.

As if the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 15, 13-27 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t get any worse, their best player on defense appeared to suffer an injury to his left leg at the end of the contest.

With under five minutes remaining, T.J. Watt attempted to bend to the outside to get around Eagles RT Lane Johnson but collapsed to the ground, clutching his left foot and ankle area.

The good news is that Watt ultimately walked off the field under his own power, but the timing couldn’t be worse with the playoffs just weeks away.

The Pittsburgh Steelers boast incredible depth at the outside linebacker position, with a plethora of capable pass rushers—Preston Smith, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith—ready to step up in Watt’s potential absence. Watt’s availability for the remainder of the regular season will be the top question on everyone’s minds. Stay tuned to Steelers Wire for updates.

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Steelers fans would never guess what’s fueling defensive takeaways

The Steelers lead the NFL in turnovers is fueled by an unexpected motivator: T-shirts handed out to defenders for creating takeaways.

With athletes in today’s sports making upwards of $50 million per year, what could possibly still motivate them? It could be a mix of motivations—like building a legacy, chasing a championship, or even something as simple as… a T-shirt? You read that right. ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor wrote an intriguing article describing how the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is motivated by earning T-shirts for creating turnovers.

Pryor explained how Steelers outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin hands out T-shirts with phrases like “The Culture” and “Takeaways” printed on the front. These shirts are awarded individually to players involved in takeaways, such as OLB Preston Smith, who recovered a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. Smith described how the defense is going crazy over the shirts and how this simple idea has been incredibly effective in giving players extra motivation.

With the Steelers leading the NFL with 25 turnovers, perhaps the other 31 teams should try handing out clothing items. Minkah Fitzpatrick could snag his first turnover T-shirt with an interception against Jameis Winston and the Browns in Week 14.

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Preston Smith aims to deliver highlight reel performance in Week 11

Preston Smith embraces Steelers-Ravens rivalry, aiming for historic and highlight reel worthy plays in Week 11.

It didn’t take long for the energy and rivalry of the interdivisional matchup between AFC North foes—the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens—to rub off on one of the Steel City’s newest acquisitions, OLB Preston Smith.

While Smith may be in line for a significant role in Week 11, the former Packers edge rusher made the most of his limited playing time in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders, recording one sack on just 12 pass-rush attempts.

When asked about his potential role against the Baltimore Ravens, Smith didn’t mince words—he wants to make history.

Smith will likely have to share time off the right edge with the seemingly ready-to-return Nick Herbig, but fans, including myself, would be remiss to let any of his highlight-reel plays on Sunday go unappreciated.

Tune in on November 17 at 1:00 PM EST to witness Smith attempt to make history at the expense of a Lamar Jackson-led Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.

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Could Preston Smith be the lifeline for Steelers defense?

With Alex Highsmith set to miss time with an ankle injury, the Preston Smith acquisition may have saved the Steelers’ defense.

When Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers front office acquired OLB Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, many began to speculate if this was the biggest steal of the trade deadline. Alex Highsmith’s apparent ankle injury in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders further solidifies Smith’s acquisition as one of the greatest trades of 2024.

While backup Nick Herbig performed admirably, the Steelers went 2-2 in games that Highsmith missed, highlighting the need for a veteran edge rusher opposite T.J. Watt.

Smith, having played 156 games with 138 starts in his 10-year career, is exactly what could save the Steelers’ defense with Highsmith set to miss time.

Used sparingly in Week 10, Smith still managed to record a sack on rookie QB Jayden Daniels.

The ‘Khan Artist’ truly struck gold in acquiring Smith’s talents, and this move could reshape the entire landscape of the Pittsburgh defense. The 31-year old Smith will look to fill the void left by Highsmith, and aims to start with sacking Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson in Week 11.

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Former Packers edge rusher Preston Smith shines in first game with Steelers

Preston Smith had a sack and a tackle for loss in his first game with the Steelers on Sunday.

Former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Preston Smith didn’t wait long to make an impact with his new team. Five days after being traded from by the Packers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith delivered two big plays across 23 snaps in the Steelers’ 28-27 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Smith produced a 1-yard sack of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the third quarter and made a tackle for loss — on a play losing 11 yards — on third down to start the fourth quarter. The sack put the Commanders behind the sticks and eventually forced a field goal attempt; the tackle for loss forced a punt.

Smith finished with a 72.1 overall defense grade at Pro Football Focus. It represented the third-highest grade on the Steelers defense on Sunday and Smith’s second-highest grade of the 2024 season.

Smith asked the Packers for a trade, and the team obliged, sending him back to the 3-4 defense in Pittsburgh. Across 23 snaps as a standout outside linebacker, Smith played nine snaps against the run, 12 as a pass-rusher and two in coverage. The veteran played his first nine seasons in the NFL in the 3-4 defense and feels more comfortable standing up on the edge of a three-man front.

The Steelers planned to use Smith as a rotational edge rusher behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. However, Highsmith suffered an ankle injury during the win over the Commanders, which could put Smith into a featured role opposite Watt for the foreseeable future. The win Sunday improved the Steelers’ record to 7-2, so Smith will be playing snaps for a legitimate contender down the stretch.

Report: Alex Highsmith seen in crutches following Week 10 injury

Alex Highsmith was seen on crutches leaving the Steelers’ locker room, raising concerns about the severity of his ankle injury.

In what should be an exciting celebration for the now 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers, fans can’t help but sympathize with star EDGE Alex Highsmith, who appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury during his team’s Week 10 victory over the Washington Commanders.

While the severity of the injury remains unclear, more details regarding Highsmith’s availability for the 2024 season will be revealed in the coming days. The outlook, however, doesn’t look promising.

Highsmith was seen using crutches as he left the Steelers’ locker room, suggesting the injury may cause him to miss significant time.

Highsmith recently missed Weeks 4 to 6 with a groin injury, and backup Nick Herbig is also nursing a hamstring injury. With this in mind, the Steelers’ trade for veteran OLB Preston Smith seems to have been a perfect move.

Smith will fill in admirably if Highsmith is forced to miss serious time, but fans of the Black and Gold are nonetheless hoping for a speedy recovery.

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Two Steelers newcomers will play against Commanders

Steelers will have some additional help vs. Commanders.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) were off last week before their Week 10 showdown against the Washington Commanders (7-2). While the Steelers didn’t play a game, they were busy making moves for the stretch run.

Currently sitting atop the AFC North, Pittsburgh has been searching for wide receiver help for months. On Tuesday, at the NFL trade deadline, the Steelers acquired veteran wideout Mike Williams from the New York Jets.

Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan wasn’t done, though. Khan also acquired veteran defensive end/linebacker Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers don’t need Smith to start but supply depth behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

While the Commanders’ prized trade acquisition, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, will not play, Williams and Smith will suit up for the Packers. Williams could play an immediate role, lining up opposite George Pickens and giving quarterback Russell Wilson another reliable target.

Smith, a former second-round pick of Washington in 2015, has 68.5 career sacks, including 2.5 this year. Williams, a first-round pick by the Chargers in 2017, has 321 career receptions and 31 touchdowns.

What to expect from Preston Smith’s Steelers debut in Week 10

Steelers fans eager to see Preston Smith in action: What impact will the new edge rusher make in his Week 10 debut against Washington?

Watch out, Washington: newly acquired Pittsburgh Steelers defender Preston Smith could see plenty of action in his Week 10 debut for Pittsburgh.

Smith, who requested a trade from Green Bay due to scheme issues, was dealt to the Steelers for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Fans quickly took to social media to voice their satisfaction with the trade, but what can they expect from the 31-year-old former Packers edge rusher in his Week 10 Steelers debut?

While it typically takes time for trade acquisitions to acclimate, Steelers backup OLB Nick Herbig has been declared OUT for Sunday against the Washington Commanders, paving the way for significantly more play time for Smith.

Smith’s best season came in 2019 when he posted 12 sacks, a forced fumble, and 11 tackles for loss. Over his 155-game career, he has tallied 65.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 71 tackles for loss.

Smith will look to make an immediate impact in Week 10, while Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will aim to avoid becoming his next victim.

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Steelers injury update: Nick Herbig’s status still in question

Steelers EDGE Nick Herbig was limited at Thursday practice.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a trade with the Green Bay Packers, landing outside linebacker Preston Smith. Pittsburgh might need Smith to get on the field Sunday against the Washington Commanders as part of the team’s pass-rushing rotation.

The reason is that on Thursday, outside linebacker Nick Herbig was still limited at practice.  Herbig continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of the team’s last three games. Herbig got two starts in place of an injured Alex Highsmith and was well on his way to a breakout season.

If Herbig isn’t ready to go, we could see a heavy dose of Smith who joined the team on Tuesday. Pittsburgh is also without Demarvin Leal who was placed on IR. The Steelers take on the 7-2 Washington Commanders on Sunday.

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Is Preston Smith the missing piece Pittsburgh has been searching for?

Preston Smith, the newly acquired Steelers’ OLB at the 2024 trade deadline, could be the difference maker Pittsburgh has been looking for.

The true difference maker from the trade deadline acquisitions for the Pittsburgh Steelers may be the second trade the team made—for none other than former Packers’ OLB Preston Smith.

The 31-year-old Smith provides Pittsburgh with a tremendous amount of starting experience off the edge, in which he has accumulated 68.5 career sacks in 155 games played.  He only cost the Steelers a 2025-seventh round draft pick.

After losing OLB Alex Highsmith to injury in Week 3, the team lost two straight contests to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively. While backup OLB Nick Herbig filled in admirably, he too would suffer an injury.

While Highsmith would eventually return to Pittsburgh in Week 7, the Steelers now have a very capable starter in Smith, who is relishing his opportunity to sack opposing quarterbacks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be gearing up for a deep playoff run, focusing on keeping their defensive line loaded and healthy, with elite players like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Preston Smith, Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, and Larry Ogunjobi ready to wreck opposing offenses.

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