Steelers Welcome the Return of Key Linebacker Amid Miles Killebrew Injury Setback
Pittsburgh, PA — October 14, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting some much-needed good news this week as they officially welcome back linebacker Malik Harrison from injured reserve. His return couldn’t come at a better time, with
Harrison, who suffered an MCL sprain earlier this season against the New York Jets, was back on the practice field Monday. He looked sharp and confident throughout his limited reps.
The Steelers have now opened his 21-day activation window, giving the team until November 3 to place him back on the 53-man roster. According to team sources, optimism is high that he’ll be ready to go well before that deadline.
Before going down, Harrison was projected to be a core special teams contributor and rotational linebacker. His blend of size, physicality, and tackling ability made him a natural fit for Pittsburgh’s aggressive defensive system.
A former Ohio State standout, Harrison brings valuable experience to the table. He’s recorded 174 career tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits, including a standout 2024 season with
His comeback provides an immediate boost for a Steelers defense battling through injuries across multiple levels. Depth and versatility have become critical as the team enters a challenging stretch of AFC North matchups.
For head coach Mike Tomlin, Harrison’s return is a much-needed win. It restores both leadership and stability to a locker room that’s refused to make excuses through adversity.
As Tomlin often says —
Buffalo Bills, Cowboys in Talks to Trade Former First-Round Pick Amid D-Line Crisis
Buffalo, NY – Defensive line depth has officially reached crisis levels for the Buffalo Bills. With multiple starters sidelined, league sources indicate the team has opened trade conversations with the Dallas Cowboys involving former first-rounder Mazi Smith.
Smith, a 6’3”, 337-pound defensive tackle drafted in 2023, has failed to live up to expectations in Dallas. Despite flashes of power, he was a healthy scratch for the first two games of 2025.
The potential fit in Buffalo is obvious. Head coach Sean McDermott’s defense has been decimated by injuries, with Ed Oliver nursing a lingering issue, DeWayne Carter lost for the season, and Larry Ogunjobi suspended until Week 8.
Buffalo’s urgency is high. The Bills remain 2-1, but entering a critical stretch without reinforcements, their front four risks collapsing under pressure. Smith could provide size and rotational help while still carrying untapped upside.
Dallas, meanwhile, faces a different problem: sunk cost. Smith was billed as a long-term anchor, yet two and a half seasons later, he’s struggled with technique, conditioning, and consistency. The Cowboys may be ready to move on.
League insiders suggest a late-round pick—potentially a 2026 sixth—could seal the deal. For Buffalo, the low cost may justify the gamble. For Dallas, it’s about salvaging value before considering an outright release.
Not everyone is convinced. Critics argue Smith’s developmental label no longer applies and that Buffalo shouldn’t waste assets, even minimal ones. Still, his presence on a practice squad could offer insurance if injuries pile further.
The talks remain preliminary, but the stakes are clear. Buffalo needs bodies in the trenches, and Dallas needs answers for a disappointing pick. Whether Smith becomes a Bill could hinge on urgency more than potential.
