Commanders sign DE Preston Smith to aid defense

The Washington Commanders reunited with defensive end Preston Smith on Wednesday, signing the free agent to help a line that lost Deatrich Wise Jr. to injury for the season.

Smith, 32, was selected by Washington in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft and spent his first four seasons with the franchise. He signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 2019 and was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers nine games into the 2024 season.

The Steelers released him in February.

In a corresponding move, the Commanders put cornerback Jonathan Jones on injured reserve. Jones has a hamstring injury and will miss a minimum of four games.

Smith has played in 163 games (138 starts) and has 443 tackles (74 for loss), 70.5 sacks, five interceptions and seven fumble recoveries -- two for touchdowns -- on his stat sheet.

In 17 games (nine starts) last season, Smith made 32 tackles and registered 4.5 sacks.

Wise, a free-agent signee, was placed on IR after tearing his left quadriceps in the loss at Green Bay on Sunday.