Steelers DE Smith will not play against Jets has 0 comments

Jan 20th 2011, 21:09 | FFN-Score: 29 points

Earlier this week, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said injured starting defensive end Aaron Smith would return to practice to prepare for possibly playing in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

On Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Smith likely will not play against the New York Jets. Smith, who has been sidelined because of a torn triceps since Oct. 24, was a limited participant in practice earlier in the day.

Smith, who is one of the league's elite 3-4 defensive ends, took part in some light conditioning Wednesday, according to the newspaper.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported last week, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, that the Steelers probably had to reach the Super Bowl in order for Smith to play again this season.

The Steelers kept Smith, who is one of the team's most respected and popular players, on the active roster all season in hopes he would recover in time to help the team during the playoffs.