Steelers Hit With Major Setback as Veteran TE Suffers Serious Hip Injury Before Vikings Showdown
Pittsburgh, PA – September 26, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has been dealt another blow just days before their international showdown with the Minnesota Vikings. Veteran tight end Jonnu Smith has suffered a serious hip injury and will be sidelined for Week 4, leaving a void in a unit already battling depth concerns.
Smith, who joined Pittsburgh this offseason, had quietly carved out a role as a reliable short-yardage option. Through three games, he recorded 12 catches for 65 yards and a touchdown, offering quarterback support in critical downs. His absence now forces the Steelers to lean heavily on second-year standout Darnell Washington and versatile Connor Heyward.
The timing could hardly be worse. Pittsburgh is already without pass rusher Alex Highsmith, while running back Jaylen Warren and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. remain questionable with injuries of their own. Losing Smith further complicates the team’s game plan heading into one of the most high-profile games of the season.
Behind the scenes, coaches have praised Smith’s veteran presence and steady leadership in a locker room filled with young talent. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith had envisioned using him as both a safety valve in the passing game and an extra blocker in protection schemes. That vision will now have to wait.
While the team has yet to announce an official recovery timeline, insiders suggest the hip issue could linger beyond this week, raising concerns about how long Pittsburgh will be without one of its key offseason acquisitions. For now, the focus shifts to Washington and Heyward shouldering expanded roles against Minnesota’s aggressive defense.
The Steelers’ offense, already under scrutiny after a slow start to the year, now faces its toughest test yet. Without Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh must rely on creativity and resilience to keep pace in Week 4.
Andy Reid Speaks Out After Xavier Worthy Goes Down With Serious Shoulder Injury vs. Chargers
Kansas City, MO – September 6, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs’ season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers delivered an early gut punch, as rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy left the field with a serious shoulder injury following a violent collision with tight end Travis Kelce.
Head coach Andy Reid confirmed the severity of the injury in his postgame press conference, calling it a major setback for the team’s promising first-round pick. “It’s a tough blow for us. Xavier’s dealing with a serious shoulder injury, and right now the focus is on treatment and getting him healthy again,”
Worthy, who was expected to play a crucial role in Kansas City’s passing attack with Rashee Rice suspended, was helped to the locker room after trainers worked on his right shoulder. The rookie never returned to the field, leaving Patrick Mahomes to lean more heavily on Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton.
Kelce, visibly shaken by the accidental collision, expressed his support for the rookie. “It hurts to see that happen. He’s got so much talent and has already earned respect in this locker room. We’ll rally around him until he’s back,”
The loss of Worthy forces Kansas City to adjust its offensive game plan in the short term, with increased pressure on the running game and other receivers to step up. Chiefs Kingdom, meanwhile, is left anxiously awaiting updates on how soon their explosive rookie might return to action.
Stay tuned to ESPN!
