Steelers receiver Brandon Smith arrested in Pennsylvania skill-game theft case
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Grove City Police arrested Steelers practice-squad receiver Brandon Smith, 29, over stolen skill games and a gun.
He was elevated to the active roster for Week 7 days after the arrest report.
Background
Brandon Smith, 29, of Mercer, Pennsylvania, is a wide receiver on the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad; he turned heads in training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe but missed the final two preseason games with a lower-body injury. Pennsylvania State Police say two people used a stolen pickup truck to take games of skill from the Ashland Gas Station in Stoneboro on October 7, and that two guns were in the truck when it was stolen. Grove City Police arrested Smith later that day and say he had one of the stolen guns; WKBN reported the arrest on October 23. The Steelers, short on receiver depth with Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson on reserve/injured and Ben Skowronek out with a calf injury, elevated Smith and Brandon Johnson to the active roster for Week 7.
How it unfolded
- Aug 30, 2026Smith was released at the roster cutdown deadline, then re-signed to the Steelers' practice squad.
- Oct 7, 2026Troopers say two people used a stolen pickup truck to grab games of skill at the Ashland Gas Station in Stoneboro; two guns were in the truck when it was stolen. Grove City Police arrested Smith later that day and say he had one of the stolen guns.
- Oct 19, 2026Smith played 41 of the Steelers' 79 offensive snaps in a 26-19 overtime win at Tampa Bay, third among wide receivers, with no targets and a tackle in kick coverage; he then reverted to the practice squad.
- Oct 23, 2026WKBN reported the arrest; a search of Smith's home turned up burned skill games machines, guns and a utility trailer used to haul the machines, and investigators found marijuana on the property.
- Oct 24, 2026The Steelers elevated practice-squad receivers Brandon Johnson and Brandon Smith to the active roster for Week 7.
Who’s saying what
- Police
- Grove City Police say Smith was arrested the day of the theft and had one of the stolen guns; troopers say a search of his home found burned skill games machines, guns and a hauling trailer.
- Caution
- Troopers say they have a suspect for the second person they believe is responsible but have been unable to arrest him.
Still unverified
Whether Smith stays on the active roster in Week 7 could depend on the status of teammate Ben Skowronek's calf injury, per reports.