Smith recorded three solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks and an additional tackle for a loss, in Sunday's 28-27 win over the Commanders. The outside linebacker played Sunday after getting traded to the Steelers on Tuesday. Now, with Alex Highsmith dealing with a potentially serious ankle injury, Smith may be in line to see more snaps. The veteran had 19 tackles (six solo), including 2.5 sacks, in nine games with the Packers this season.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Preston Smith news
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
Birthdate
11/17/1992 (32)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'5", 271 lbs
Draft Info
2015: Rd 2; Pk (WAS)
Birthplace
Lithonia, GA, USA
Position
LB
College
Mississippi State
Experience
10 seasons
Career History
Pittsburgh Steelers
2024-Present
(1 season)
Green Bay Packers
2019-2024
(6 seasons)
Washington Commanders
2015-2019
(4 seasons)
Smith recorded three solo tackles, including 1.0 sacks and an additional tackle for a loss, in Sunday's 28-27 win over the Commanders. The outside linebacker played Sunday after getting traded to the Steelers on Tuesday. Now, with Alex Highsmith dealing with a potentially serious ankle injury, Smith may be in line to see more snaps. The veteran had 19 tackles (six solo), including 2.5 sacks, in nine games with the Packers this season.
Smith is active for Sunday's game against Washington, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports. Despite being acquired at the trade deadline Tuesday, Smith appears to have picked up the Steelers' defensive playbook well enough to make his Pittsburgh debut Sunday. He'll rotate with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith at outside linebacker, and Smith should see heavy usage immediately due to Nick Herbig (hamstring) being sidelined.
Smith will make his debut with the Steelers on Sunday against the Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Smith was acquired by the Steelers from the Packers on Tuesday, and the 2015 second-round pick picked up the defensive playbook quickly enough for Pittsburgh to clear him to play. Across his nine appearances with Green Bay, Smith accumulated 19 tackles (six solo) and 2.5 sacks. With Nick Herbig (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday's game, Smith should be the top choice to rotate in at outside linebacker behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
The Steelers acquired Smith from the Packers on Tuesday in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Smith's snap share had dwindled to less than 50 percent in three of the last five games, and through nine contests, he accrued just 2.5 sacks on the season, so it's unsurprising that the Packers are opting to move on from the soon-to-be 32-year-old in favor of younger pass-rushing talent currently on the team. With the Steelers, Smith will work opposite standout T.J. Watt, which may open up more opportunities for him to get to opposing quarterbacks.
Smith (illness) returned to practice Wednesday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports. Smith missed Tuesday's practice with an illness, but it appears he's already moved past the issue after returning to the field Wednesday. The 31-year-old outside linebacker has recorded eight-plus sacks in each of his last three seasons, and he's expected to remain a solid pass rusher in 2024.
Smith is being limited by an illness Tuesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports. The details of Smith's ailment are unknown at this point. It's not likely the veteran was planning on playing much during the Packers' preseason finale versus the Ravens on Saturday, but if he's absent, it could open up a few additional reps for 2023 first-rounder Lukas Van Ness.
Smith and the Packers agreed to a restructured contract Wednesday, creating $2.4 million in cap room, Field Yates of ESPN reports. Smith has three years left on a four-year, $52 million extension he signed in 2022. The veteran edge rusher has at least eight sacks in four of his five seasons with Green Bay and started all 17 games last season on his way to 48 tackles (28 solo), eight sacks and two forced fumbles.