Steelers add two veterans to defense
For Week 16, the Pittsburgh Steelers gain some much-needed starting defence experience.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding two veterans with plenty of starting experience to their defense for Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team announced they have elevated inside linebacker Myles Jack and safety Eric Rowe to their active/inactive roster for the game.
The elevation allows both practice squad members to be part of the roster for game day before going back to the practice squad afterward. Both Jack and Rowe are expected to be significant contributors on defense in Week 16, and could both start due to injuries.
With Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and Trenton Thompson (neck) both ruled out, an Damontae Kazee suspended for the remainder of the regular season, the Steelers will turn to Rowe, Miles Killebrew and cornerback Patrick Peterson at safety.
Although Elijah Riley (ankle) is listed as questionable going into the game, he may be able to rejoin the group after returning from Injured Reserve.
Rowe, a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, has 100 games of NFL experience, including 56 starts. Last season, he started six games for the Miami Dolphins.
At linebacker, Jack will return to the active defense for the first time since signing with the practice squad late in the year. The veteran started the year by announcing his retirement but returned to the Steelers after injuries to Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander.
This week’s group will include Jack, Mykal Walker, Blake Martinez, Elandon Roberts, and Mark Robinson. With Roberts as his partner, Jack might see his first start of the season as Pittsburgh searches for the best inside linebacker among Walker, Martinez, Robinson, and Jack.
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