The Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker position has been absolutely decimated by injury throughout the 2023 regular season. The trio of starters they had, Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts, are all out of the lineup with Roberts being ruled out for the Week 17 game vs. the Seattle Seahawks on the road.

With the Steelers leaning on players like Mykal Walker, Myles Jack and Blake Martinez to keep the defense together, it shouldn’t shock anyone they have reportedly signed a linebacker to the organization. Throw in the fact it is a known player, and the fan base will at least rest easy knowing the team isn’t just sitting on their hands doing nothing.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Steelers are adding Jaylon Smith to the roster:

The #Steelers add another LB. https://t.co/meWEPu2QcB

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023

Rapoport or Henderickson didn’t say whether or not the Steelers were adding him to the practice squad, but that seems like the most likely option considering the Steelers’ current situation at the position.

If you don’t remember Jaylon Smith’s story, it became notable when in his final season at Notre Dame he had a gruesome injury to his knee in the Fighting Irish’s bowl game. He eventually was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, and after a full rehabilitation was able to stay with the Cowboys from 2017-2021. In the 2021 season he left Dallas, signed briefly with the Green Bay Packers, and eventually landed with the New York Giants. He played in New York for the 2022 season before joining the Las Vegas Raiders and New Orleans Saints for stints on their practice squad.

Will Smith ever even see the field for the Steelers? At this juncture in the season it seems unlikely, but he can be viewed as some very experienced insurance for the Steelers at a position of need.

UPDATE

The Steelers have made the signing of Jaylon Smith to the practice squad official, but have also added safety Nate Meadors to the team’s practice squad.

We have signed S Nate Meadors and LB Jaylon Smith to the practice squad. @BordasLawhttps://t.co/P5ZV3iw4kg

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 27, 2023

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Seahawks this Sunday in Week 17.