Steelers to rely on defensive line rotation with Smith out

"As a measure of defensive end Aaron Smith's value to the Steelers, the team is holding his spot on the 53-man roster with the hope that the 12-year veteran can return this season from his third major injury in the past four years.
Smith had surgery Monday to repair a partially torn tricep muscle in his left arm, and coach Mike Tomlin said he is out for an extended period of time.
The good news for the Steelers is that Smith did not sustain a complete tear in his tricep ? as the team initially feared ? during the 23-22 win at Miami.
The bad news for the Steelers is they are severely short-handed at defensive end.
Brett Keisel's status for Sunday night's game against the New Orleans Saints is in question. wholesale hockey jerseys
Keisel did not play against the Dolphins because of a hamstring injury, though he is scheduled to practice on a limited basis today.
If Keisel is unable to play Sunday, Nick Eason and Ziggy Hood will start at defensive end against the defending Super Bowl champions. The two have nine NFL (jersey) starts between them.
Both will play extensively, even if Keisel suits up against the Saints. That's because the Steelers, as Tomlin said in regard to Smith's injury, "have a mix-and-match concept that will hopefully see us through" at left defensive end.
"Do I expect the guys that take his place to play like Aaron or make similar plays? Maybe not," Tomlin said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "But they better play winning football."
Smith's injury presents an opportunity for Hood. college jerseys china The Steelers' first-round draft pick in 2009, Hood excelled during training camp but has been relatively quiet through the first six games of the season.
Tomlin dismissed an early-season ankle injury as the reason why the 6-foot-3, 300-pounder has not been more productive. Hood has been credited with three tackles this season." Meanwhile, there are many fans wear steelers jerseys around.