In the weeks before the Super Bowl, there was talk that defensive end Aaron Smith might be able to play for the Steelers despite missing all but three games of the regular season with a torn triceps tendon.
As it turned out, not only could Smith not play in the Super Bowl, but he’s still not fully healthy, more than three months later.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the prognosis for Smith is still a little murky, and it’s not completely clear when he’ll be 100 percent. Smith might not even be ready to go for training camp, if training camps open on time.
So any hope the Steelers had of Smith playing in the Super Bowl was a pipe dream. He was a long way from being completely healthy. And still is.