Ziggy

Hood

Hood was the 32nd pick in the 2009 draft and keeps hanging around as a rotational piece. He turned 32 this offseason after appearing in 12 games for the Redskins and Dolphins a year ago. Hood is probably a roster long shot.

Hood should offer help against the run to a defense which needs it.

Keisel is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Colts. The Steelers will likely err on the side of caution as they can beat Indy at far less than full strength. Look for Ziggy Hood to get the start.

Keisel may miss practice time, but will likely be able to give it a go next Sunday night against the Colts. If he can’t, Ziggy Hood will take his place at right end. Keisel has missed 12 games with injury since the beginning of the 2008 season.

Ziggy Hood will get the start in his place. Keisel should be able to return for Pittsburgh’s Week 4 visit to Houston.

Smith’s mid-foot sprain is going to need plenty of time to heal up. Ziggy Hood had four tackles and a half-sack in place of Smith last week.

This could be it for the 35-year-old Smith, who was limited to nine games between the 2009 and 2010 seasons thanks to shoulder and triceps injuries. The Steelers have a readymade replacement at left end in former first-round pick Ziggy Hood, who excelled in Smith’s absence during the Steelers’ Super Bowl run last winter. Hood has seven tackles and one sack in six games this season. If this is indeed the end for Smith, he’ll finish with 459 tackles and 44 sacks in 160 career games, all of which came in a Steelers uniform.

Hood practiced on the nose during the 2011 season, and took snaps there on some obvious passing downs in games. Though he’s undersized for a nose (6'3/300), the Steelers could use Hood in a Jay Ratliff/Earl Mitchell-type role. The starting ends then would be Brett Keisel and 2011 first-round pick Cameron Heyward. The Steelers may have to cut pricey incumbent NT Casey Hampton.

Hood left last week’s win over the Browns early, but his strain proved to be minor. The Steelers’ defensive front could use him as they’re already without James Harrison (suspension), Aaron Smith (injured reserve, neck) and Chris Hoke (injured reserve, neck).

His replacement, first-round rookie Cameron Heyward, was on the receiving end of a sideline lecture after leaving the left side of the line wide open on a 26-yard draw play by the Browns. Hood is questionable to return.