Logo

Steelers TE Jonnu Smith Misses Practice After Donating Bl00d for Mother’s Heart Valve Surgery

Pittsburgh, PA — October 7, 2025, 2:22 PM EDT — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice report highlighted a significant absence today, but it wasn’t tied to strategy or playing time—it was a matter of family, sacrifice, and a selfless act beyond the gridiron. Team officials revealed that veteran tight end Jonnu Smith was granted leave after donating blood earlier this week to aid his mother’s heart valve replacement surgery, resulting in a Did Not Participate listing, a decision coaches deemed both personal and essential.

Smith, who joined the Steelers in June via a high-profile trade from the Miami Dolphins that also brought Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick, has quickly established himself in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system—his third collaboration with the coach who optimizes his skills. Over the first four games of 2025, Smith has emerged as a dependable target for Aaron Rodgers, boasting a 92.3% catch rate (14 catches on 16 targets), ranking among the NFL’s elite tight ends, with a Week 1 touchdown setting the pace. Notably, 41% of his career receptions have come under Arthur Smith’s guidance.

Yet, his output this season pales compared to his 2024 breakout with Miami. Through four weeks, he has amassed just 71 receiving yards (17.8 YDS/G), hampered by competition for targets from Pat Freiermuth (7 catches, 65 yards) and DK Metcalf (135 yards, 2 TDs). Snap counts underscore his value, leading Steelers tight ends with 58% of snaps in Weeks 1-3, though a Week 4 hip injury slashed his role to 25%—his second physical setback this year following a preseason knee issue in August 2025.

His efficiency remains impressive, avoiding primary blocking duties in two-tight-end sets (where Darnell Washington steps in), instead thriving as a passing option for Rodgers. Fantasy managers, however, have scaled back expectations, with Smith at TE20 (13.1 fantasy points PPR, 7.9 PPG), projected as a TE2 by ESPN, unlikely to match his 2024 haul (884 yards, 88 catches, 18.6 PPG).

Head coach Mike Tomlin expressed unwavering support: “Jonnu’s absence today wasn’t about the game. His act for his mother speaks volumes beyond any statistic. He’s a professional and will return ready when the time comes.” For Steelers Nation, Smith’s gesture reinforces his worth as both a reliable offensive contributor and a son prioritizing family over football.

9 views
Caleb Williams Skips Presser After Lions Game to Protect "Sideline Princess" Erin Andrews – Viral Shielding Moment vs Overzealous Lions Player Has NFL Bowing in Respect
Detroit, Michigan – January 5, 2026 The controversial finish between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions ended in chaos. Boos still echoed through Ford Field, post-whistle tensions hadn’t cooled, and raw emotion flooded the sideline. But the moment that made the entire NFL stop had nothing to do with an officiating call or a decisive play — it came from a choice made by Caleb Williams. Instead of heading straight to the postgame press conference, Williams abruptly changed direction and ran toward the sideline where Erin Andrews — FOX NFL’s beloved “sideline princess” — was working. Seconds earlier, a visibly angry player from the Detroit Lions had surged toward the interview area, turning the scene tense and unpredictable. Video that quickly went viral shows Williams stepping directly in front of Andrews, extending his arms to signal for calm, and delivering a few firm words. There was no shouting. No escalation. Just composure and authority from a player who understood exactly what the moment required. After the game, Williams addressed the incident with the calm confidence of a true MVP. “She was doing her job,” Williams said.“No one deserves to be the target of someone else’s anger simply for doing what they’re supposed to do.” Hours later, Erin Andrews shared her own perspective — words that caused the NFL community to pause and reflect. “In that moment, I was genuinely scared — everything was happening so fast and felt overwhelming, and I was just trying to stay composed and do my job. But the instant Caleb stepped in and stood in front of me, I knew I was protected and no longer alone in that anger. That night, he wasn’t just the MVP on the field — he was the MVP of kindness, composure, and courage.” For the Bears, Williams was the game’s most valuable player. For the rest of the league, he demonstrated a form of leadership that transcends statistics. In a sport where emotions often spill over after high-stakes games, Williams chose to step forward — not for himself, but for someone else. Erin Andrews went on to complete her assignment as usual. No drama. No complaints. But the NFL did not forget. Former players, journalists, and fans shared the clip widely, calling it a “class act” — a reminder that football is about more than collisions and wins. It is also about responsibility and character. Some nights, reputations are built on numbers. Other moments create legacies with a single step taken at exactly the right time. On this night, Caleb Williams stepped forward — in a way that made the entire NFL bow in respect.