Steelers DL Aaron Smith out for season

Steelers veteran defensive end Aaron Smith has been placed on injured reserve, the team announced on Saturday.

Smith has missed the last two weeks, and was ruled out for Sunday’s game clash the Cardinals, with a foot injury.

The 35-year-old Smith has struggled with injuries the last three seasons, with shoulder, triceps and this year’s foot injury limited him to just 15 games.

Rookie defensive lineman Corbin Bryant has been signed off the practice squad to take Smith’s place on the 53-man roster.

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Aaron Curry not an instant answer

Anytime a team can get a top-five picks less than three years after he entered the NFL for a minimal cost it’s a deal worth doing. 2011 STATS

However, I wouldn’t go so far as to say the Oakland Raiders’ defensive issues are solved by the acquisition of Aaron Curry. He will get a chance to compete for playing time and he will be given a chance to resurrect his career, but, by no means is Curry currently considered a top-notch player.

But if the Raiders can get the best out of Curry, it will be a good deal for the team down the road.

Essentially, this is a low-risk endeavor for a team that has long taken on players such as Curry. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 by Seattle. He lost his starting job this year.

Curry is physically imposing player at 260 pounds. But he didn’t show strong instincts and his toughness has been questioned. He has been a disappointing pass-rusher.

Still, he may benefit from a change of scenery. The Raiders have long been a willing taker of wayward first-round picks. Quarterbacks Jason Campbell and Kyle Boller and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and defensive end Jarvis Moss are players who have found varying forms of success in Oakland after struggling as first-round picks elsewhere.

Now, Curry has a chance for his own Oakland revival. Just don’t expect the No. 4 overall pick in the draft to show up.

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