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Andre Smith ready to put on a show against Steelers

By Danny Jaillet

CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 24: Andre Smith #56 of the North Carolina Tar Heels jumps into the Tar Pit before a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Kenan Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 24: Andre Smith #56 of the North Carolina Tar Heels jumps into the Tar Pit before a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Kenan Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers rookie is ready to showcase his talents…

It’s been a while for Carolina Panthers rookie linebacker Andre Smith. The former North Carolina Tar Heel has not appeared in a game since the preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills. Straining his hamstring on the second play of the game, he has not appeared in a contest since.

Per a report from Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com, Smith expects to be ready for the preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.

"“I’ve got an opportunity – I’ve got this one – so I’ve got to make the most of it,” Smith said. “I feel like I was climbing, and then the injury happened. I’m kind of back to Square One, but this game coming up against Pittsburgh, it’s going to be the young guys playing the majority of it, so that’s my opportunity.”"

Even with the four-game suspension of Thomas Davis, the Carolina Panthers still have plenty of linebackers at their disposal. With Shaq Thompson and Luke Kuechly manning the position among others,  Smith enters a group of talented peers.

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It is not as if Smith lacks talent himself. While at North Carolina, he tallied 187 tackles in three seasons at Chapel Hill. His best year came in 2016 when he tallied 113 tackles. That was good enough for No. 6 in the ACC in what put him among a talented group of linebackers.

There is no denying that Smith has an impressive collegiate resume, and it is easy to see why the Carolina Panthers drafted him. Especially where they selected him (seventh round, pick No. 234), they may have found a gem. A knee injury on September 9 against Louisville all but derailed his season in 2017. Perhaps that is why he slipped so low in the draft. Especially coming off a year where he set career highs, it was heartbreaking to see.

As long as his knee does not keep pestering him, he could make an impact for the Carolina Panthers. That is why it will be exciting to see what he does on Thursday against the Steelers. It would be unfair to suggest that he is on the bubble. Being a rookie, he probably is safe. Given the talent at the linebacker position however, he is going to have to put up a strong showing on Thursday to separate himself from the rest if the pack.

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It would be a great story if a Tar Heel became a member of the Carolina Panthers. Andre Smith certainly has the talent to do so and he should be able to have plenty of opportunities on Thursday to show he belongs with the pack.

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