Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf will be back for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the playoffs. But the status of another playmaker, tight end Jonnu Smith, is more unclear entering the weekend.
The Steelers added Smith to their official injury report Friday. The tight end practiced in limited fashion because of a glute issue.
Smith played in all 17 regular season games for the Steelers in 2025. The 30-year-old posted 38 catches with 222 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Smith’s availability could be a significant factor for the Steelers offense. The team is already without tight end Darnell Washington.
The third-year tight end suffered a broken arm in Week 17 and is a long shot to return only if the team plays in the Super Bowl.
Steelers TE Jonnu Smith Suffers New Injury
Obviously, this week isn’t the time for the Steelers, or any NFL team, to be dealing with a new injury on Friday. The good news is Smith has an extra day to get ready for the team’s wild card showdown.
The Steelers will host the Houston Texans on Monday, January 12. Kickoff is set for 8:15 pm ET.
The other good news is that despite multiple injuries at tight end, the Steelers still have a healthy Pat Freiermuth.
Pundits have argued throughout the season that Freiermuth hasn’t been getting enough opportunities. The 27-year-old tight end registered at least 650 receiving yards in 2022 and 2024.
In 2025, Freiermuth often took a back seat to Washington and Smith in the Steelers offense.
That wasn’t the case last week, though, with the season on the line. In the 26-24 victory against the Baltimore Ravens to clinch the AFC North, Freiermuth posted three catches for 51 yards. He also drew a pass interference penalty in the end zone.
Smith had one catch for two yards.
Still having Freiermuth is great. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers can afford to lose Smith. Pittsburgh’s offense features double-tight end sets as much as any in the league.
The Steelers aren’t likely to use that personnel set as often without Smith and Washington.
Connor Heyward is the only other tight end on the Steelers active roster. Heyward, who is also listed as a full back, makes his biggest offensive contribution to the team on the “tush push” behind center.
Steelers’ Jaylen Warren Returns to Practice
Smith was one of three Steelers players who were limited in Friday’s practice. The other two were both defensive tackles — Cameron Heyward and Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Heyward, though, was limited because of rest. Meanwhile, Loudermilk isn’t on the active roster. The Steelers opened his 21-day practice window Friday for what was his first practice in nearly four months.
Loudermilk could return this postseason after not playing since Week 2.
On Thursday, running back Jaylen Warren didn’t practice at all because of an illness. But he fully participated Friday.
So despite Smith’s new injury, things look favorable for the Steelers on the injury front.
The Steelers will practice Saturday for the final time before their wild card matchup. When the team releases its final injury report following that practice, it will be clearer if Smith will play.
Smith last played in the postseason with the New England Patriots in January 2022. The tight end also made playoff appearances with the Tennessee Titans in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
In seven playoff games, Smith has 11 catches for 87 yards with a touchdown.
Steelers Add Playmaker to Injury Report Days Before Texans Playoff Game