The Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss at New England keeps getting worse.
Aaron Smith, one of the Steelers’ best defensive players, is out for the rest of the season after he tore a biceps muscle during the 21-point loss to the Patriots on Sunday.
Smith, a defensive end from Northern Colorado, is an excellent run defender and one of the Steelers’ most reliable players since breaking into the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick in 1999. He tried to keep playing during the 34-13 loss, but had to be replaced several times.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin knew that was a bad sign, and postgame tests revealed the tear. Smith apparently was not hurt on a specific play, but may have gone into the game with a partial tear that became worse as he played.
“Being the guy he is, he continued on,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “He came out a few times, and that was worrisome because this guy doesn’t come out of games.”
Smith is used infrequently as a pass rusher in the Steelers’ blitz-heavy defense, which didn’t sack Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The 31-year-old Smith does have a fumble recovery and an interception this season, and his ability to control offensive linemen regularly leads to sacks by the Steelers’ linebackers.
Smith missed most of three games with a knee injury earlier this season and was replaced by Nick Eason. Travis Kirschke is also expected to get more playing time with Smith out.
The injury is not expected to be career threatening, Tomlin said. Smith was placed on injured reserve, a move that means he cannot return this season. Defensive lineman Ryan McBean was promoted to the team’s 53-man roster.
McBean, a fourth-round draft pick from Oklahoma State, was released during the final preseason cuts and has spent the season on the practice squad.
Bucs’ Stevens suspended.
Tampa Bay tight end Jerramy Stevens was suspended without pay for one game for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He will miss Sunday’s game against Atlanta and was also fined an additional game check.
Stevens, who signed with the Buccaneers in April after being released by Seattle, was convicted in September of driving under the influence of alcohol in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The charge stemmed from an arrest while the sixth-year pro was a member of the Seahawks.
“When we signed Jerramy this spring, we knew there was a possibility that he could face some type of disciplinary action from the NFL for his prior actions,” Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said in a statement released by the team.
“Since he has been with the Buccaneers, Jerramy has been a great teammate and productive player for our team.”
Stevens has 10 receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown.
Packers’ Barnett pleads not guilty.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett pleaded not guilty to two charges of disorderly conduct stemming from a confrontation outside a nightclub.
Barnett, a five-year starter, was arrested June 17 outside an Appleton, Wis., nightspot after a woman accused him of pushing her during an argument.
Packers defensive tackle Johnny Jolly was placed on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury.
Jolly, a sixth-round draft pick in 2006, started seven of Green Bay’s first 10 games. He was hurt in the Packers’ victory over Carolina on Nov. 18.
Last week, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the results of an MRI on Jolly’s shoulder “didn’t look good,” and he might have to sit out the remainder of this season.
Jolly had 31 tackles, one sack and five pass deflections this season.
Rams owner Frontiere hospitalized.
St. Louis Rams owner Georgia Frontiere, 80, has been hospitalized in Los Angeles with an undisclosed illness, a family spokesman said.
“Our mother has been in a hospital for some health issues and is feeling better,” Frontiere’s son Chip Rosenbloom and daughter Lucia Rodriguez said in a statement read by family spokesman Gene Schwam.
