The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for each WR Mike Williams and EDGE Preston Smith forward of Tuesday’s NFL Commerce Deadline, and whereas broad receiver has been extra of a necessity for the Steelers, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette believes that Smith may out-snap Williams on Sunday in opposition to the Washington Commanders. Showing on The PM Workforce on 93.7 The Fan, Fittipaldo mentioned he thinks Nick Herbig, who’s been out with a hamstring harm, shall be inactive for the Steelers, main Smith to be a key backup at exterior linebacker. In the meantime, he thinks the Steelers shall be gradual to work in Williams.
“I feel Preston Smith is in a distinct scenario, ’trigger I don’t count on Nick Herbig to play. So I feel they’re in all probability cramming with Preston proper now, getting him in control with the playbook. If Herbig is down, which I count on, can be Jeremiah Moon and Preston Smith, and I feel you play every of these guys 10, 15, 20 snaps relying on the way it goes. The Mike Williams factor, I don’t suppose they’re gonna work him in rather a lot,” Fittipaldo mentioned. “Don’t have excessive expectations for Mike Williams this week. I feel you’ll see that develop week-to-week. If I needed to put a quantity on snap counts this week, if he does costume, I’m gonna say 12-15.”
Fittipaldo identified that WR DeAndre Hopkins didn’t play a lot for the Chiefs in his debut with the workforce, as he performed simply 23 snaps in Week 8, ending with two receptions for 29 yards, earlier than breaking out in Week 9 with eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers possible don’t wish to give Williams an excessive amount of accountability as he nonetheless learns the playbook and acclimates to the offense, so getting him on the sector in restricted snaps this week earlier than increasing his position is sensible.
Not anticipating Herbig to play is fascinating, as he mentioned he was optimistic he’d have the ability to return after the bye week and he’s logged restricted practices every of the final two days. However the addition of Smith may make the Steelers further cautious with Herbig’s restoration. Now with a further EDGE, there’s no have to power Herbig again into motion if he’s not 100% wholesome. The Commanders are coping with accidents to each of their tackles, as RT Andrew Wylie has been restricted every of the final two days whereas LT Cornelius Lucas has been out. That might make issues simpler for T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Relying on how the video games goes, although, the Steelers may get some further relaxation for Watt and Highsmith and lean extra on Smith and Jeremiah Moon, which may result in them seeing 15-20 snaps. However the addition of Smith positively makes it simpler for the Steelers to present Herbig one other week off. Smith’s position figures to be simpler to be taught than Williams, so it’s comprehensible why Fittipaldo expects Smith to play extra.
In the end, we’ll discover out on Sunday simply how a lot the 2 latest Steelers wind up taking part in. Even when Williams doesn’t play a lot in Week 10, that doesn’t imply he can’t have an even bigger impression for Pittsburgh down the stretch.
