The Pittsburgh Steelers are making roster moves in anticipation of their matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.
The Steelers are coming into this matchup 3-2 after dropping their last two games against the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. Their defense couldn’t hold opponents to ten or fewer points like in the first three contests, giving up 27 and 20 points. The Steelers’ defense has to deal with injuries to defenders Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith.
Pittsburgh signed former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ade Ogundeji to their 53-man roster ahead of their matchup against the Raiders to add defensive depth, according to Sports Illustrated’s Noah Strackbein.
“Ogundeji, 26, was the Falcons’ fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2021 and spent three seasons in Atlanta before hitting the free agency market,” Strackbein said. “Two of those three seasons, playing under now-Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, he started 27 games, including 16 in 2022.”
“Prior to the 2023 season, Ogundeji was place on Injured Reserve, missing the entire year due to a foot/ankle injury that he suffered during training camp. He was released by the Falcons this summer and signed to the Steelers practice squad. With the injuries to Nick Herbig (hamstring) and Alex Highsmith (groin), Pittsburgh has signed him to the 53-man roster.”
Story continues below advertisement
T.J. Watt and Jeremiah Moon are expected to start as outside linebackers, with Ogundeji coming off the bench. Ogundeji played 32 games for the Falcons in 2021 and 2022, starting 27 games. He will be a great depth piece behind Watt and Moon as the Steelers aim to get back on track with a win against the Raiders.
More NFL: Steelers Injury Report: Pittsburgh Gets Good News On Offensive Difference-Maker
Featured image via Vasha Hunt/Imagn Images