Pittsburgh’s Ziggy Hood gets big opportunity with Aaron Smith out

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not halfway through their season, and already their defense has gone from A to Z.

That’s from Aaron Smith to Ziggy Hood at left defensive end, an abrupt transition that could play a key role in Sunday night’s game at New Orleans.

Hood, a former first-round pick, will replace Smith, the most pivotal player in the Steelers’ 3-4 front, who had surgery on his injured triceps last week and will be sidelined at least until late December.

Injuries are nothing new for Smith, who has sat out games in three of the last four years and whose absence is always felt. In the last 15 games he has missed, including the postseason, the Steelers went 7-8 and gave up an average of 22.5 points and 114.1 yards rushing. By contrast, the Steelers are 23-7 with Smith in the lineup and have given up one fewer touchdown per game and 71.4 yards.

“There are no excuses,” Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin told reporters. “Do I expect the guys that take his place to play like Aaron? Or to make similar plays? Maybe not, but they’d better be above the line.”

Hood, the 32nd player selected in the 2009 draft, has yet to make much of an impact on Sundays. He has three tackles in six games, bringing his two-season total to 11 in 22 games.

“He’s not had the kind of production that he’d like thus far, but the season is still early,” Tomlin said. “Boy, he’s got a big-time opportunity to work on that this weekend. Knowing him, I know that he will do what’s necessary in the process.”

Hood, who will be making his first start, has played all three spots along the defensive front but lined up exclusively on the left side in his reserve role last season.

“Aaron’s done it for years,” Hood said. “I’ve got to be able to fill in. I won’t be able to do the job he can because he’s Aaron Smith and he’s a great player. But if I can do half of what he does, I’ll feel like I’ve done the job.”

— Sam Farmer