Steeler DL Aaron Smith is a long shot to play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, despite recovering faster than he anticipated after partially tearing his triceps in late October.
The Steelers listed the 12th-year veteran as questionable for Super Bowl XLV on the injury report released Friday. But Smith hasn't fully practiced since his injury, and time is waning in his bid to complete a comeback like Rod Woodson's in 1995, when the former Steelers great missed virtually the entire regular season after having reconstructive knee surgery only to return in time for Super Bowl XXX.
"I've come to grips with it," Smith said of the possibility he will not play. "I'm holding out hope, but that's a reality I've had to deal with (for) months. I've tried optimism, I've tried pessimism. I've tried being happy. I'm just day to day. If I get an opportunity to (play,) it will be a blessing."