It didn't take long for former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Preston Smith to make an impact with his new team. Five days after being Smith made two big plays in 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 third down early in the fourth quarter – on a play in which he lost 11 yards. The sack put the Commanders behind the uprights and eventually forced a field goal attempt; The tackle for loss forced a punt.
. Making plays in his Debut 💪
Stream on NFL+: |
—Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB)
Smith finished with an overall defensive grade of 72.1 from Pro Football Focus. It represented the Steelers defense's third-highest mark on Sunday and Smith's second-highest mark of the 2024 season.
Blacksmith and the team obliged, sending him back to Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense. In 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 is more comfortable on the edge of a three-man defense.
The Steelers planned to use Smith as a rotational edge rusher behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. However, Highsmith suffered an ankle injury in the win over the Commanders, which could leave Smith in a prominent role opposite Watt for the foreseeable future. Sunday's win improved the Steelers' record to 7-2, meaning Smith will be playing snaps for a legitimate contender down the stretch.
