PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding veteran depth to their inside linebacker core, signing free agent Jaylon Smith, according to his agent Doug Hendrickson.
Smith, 28, was the Dallas Cowboys’ second-round pick in 2016, playing 68 games, including 56 starts before leaving the franchise. Since then, he’s bounced around, spending time the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and most recently the Las Vegas Raiders.
Smith spent most of the 2023 season on the Raiders practice squad, playing in one game this season. He was released prior to signing with the Steelers.
The former Cowboy started three straight seasons in Dallas, earning his only Pro Bowl nod in 2019. He started from 2018 to 2020 before Micah Parsons and Keanu Neal surpassed him on the depth chart. In his Pro Bowl year, he tallied 142 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, nine pass defenses, two forced fumbles and an interception.
The Steelers lost another inside linebacker to injury with Elandon Roberts already ruled out of Week 17 due to a pectoral injury. With Kwon Alexander and Cole Holcomb on Injured Reserve, the team is looking for veteran play on the inside.
Currently, their room consists of Blake Martinez, Mykal Walker, Mark Robinson and Myles Jack, who’s on the practice squad.
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