PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith had surgery to repair a torn triceps tendon in his left arm, and the team is holding out hope he could return late in the season.
Such injuries typically are season-ending. The Steelers likely will wait and see how quickly Smith recovers before deciding whether to place him on the injured reserve list, which would end his season.
The 34-year-old Smith missed the final 11 games of last season with a torn right rotator cuff. He also sat out the final three regular-season games and a playoff game during the 2007 season with a torn right biceps.
Smith is considered a key to the Steelers’ league-leading rushing defense.
