PITTSBURGH — Playing for a month without Troy Polamalu was difficult enough for the Steelers. Playing the rest of the season without defensive end Aaron Smith might be an equally big challenge for one of the NFL’s best defenses.
On the same day Polamalu returned to practice after missing four games with a knee injury, the Steelers scrambled Wednesday to replace Smith, a former University of Northern Colorado standout who was placed on the injured reserve list with a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Smith has been to the Pro Bowl once in 11 seasons and isn’t as well-known nationally as Polamalu, a five-time Pro Bowl safety, or linebacker James Harrison, last year’s defensive player of the year. But several Steelers said Smith might be the most difficult defensive player to replace because he is so critical not only to stopping the run, but to keeping the line of scrimmage under control for the pass rush to work.
“A guy like that, I truly believe, is irreplaceable,” Polamalu said. “There’s a lot of other big role positions that get a lot of prestige, but who can always be replaced — myself included — but it’s always tough when it has to do with our line. I truly believe our defensive line controls the outcome of the game. It’s big.”
The Steelers found out late in the 2007 season what can happen when Smith is out. They were No. 2 against the run when Smith tore a biceps muscle against New England, then gave up 629 yards rushing while losing three of their final four games.
To replace Smith on their 53-man roster, the Steelers re-signed Ra’Shon “Sunny” Harris, a sixth-round draft pick they cut in September.
Vinatieri out 4-8 weeks
INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts signed kicker Matt Stover to fill in while Adam Vinatieri recovers from arthroscopic surgery to remove a piece of cartilage in his right knee.
Vinatieri is expected to miss four to eight weeks.
To clear a roster spot, the Colts made a surprise move by waiving starting defensive tackle Ed Johnson, who had started four consecutive games after serving a one-game suspension in Week 1 because of his arrest on a drug possession charge, and had nine tackles.
“I know some might be wondering if it was a character issue and it was not,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “When we get to these types of situations, we have to look at our roster and see where we can get a guy on (the roster). Ed’s was a matter of production.”
Footnotes.
Allen Rossum, who is second in NFL history with 14,987 return yards, signed with the Cowboys only two days after being released from the 49ers.
• The Chargers released starting strong safety Clinton Hart in order to sign defensive tackle Ian Scott.
• Vikings receiver Percy Harvin missed practice because of a shoulder injury, while quarterback John David Booty was dropped from the practice squad to make room for former Broncos offensive lineman Clint Oldenburg.
• With a black glove supporting his left hand, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer went through a full practice, an indication his sprained thumb won’t be a problem Sunday against the Texans.
• Dolphins linebacker Matt Roth (groin) said he is healthy and ready to resume practice after Miami’s next game, against New Orleans on Oct. 25.
• The Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Langston Walker and waived fullback Oren O’Neal with an ankle injury.
• Lions quarterback Matt Stafford returned to practice after missing Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh with a knee injury.
