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Brooke Pryor, ESPN employees author
PITTSBURGH – In a flurry of roster strikes on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers gained an offensive starter however misplaced one on protection.
The group formally activated tight finish Pat Freiermuth from injured reserve and positioned security Keanu Neal on the listing.
Freiermuth hasn’t performed since struggling his hamstring harm within the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans. He was positioned on IR after aggravating the harm a month in the past.
“Clearly not the beginning I needed, however I am very proud of us as a group,” Freiermuth mentioned this week. “We’re a extremely good soccer group at 6-3, so I am glad to have the ability to come again in a serious league recreation and be with the blokes and get again to work.”
Neal suffered a rib harm after his fourth-quarter interception towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
With Neal out, the Steelers promoted second-year security Trenton Thompson to the lively roster for Sunday’s recreation towards the Cleveland Browns. Thompson, out of San Diego State, noticed motion in a single recreation for the New York Giants a yr in the past earlier than becoming a member of the Steelers’ apply squad this season, the place he caught a preseason interception of Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask. Thompson performed seven essential snaps towards the Packers to cap off the Week 10 victory after Neal went down.
“I’ve all the time been a assured soccer participant, and regardless that I have not had any actual defensive snaps, I simply preserve saying it is soccer, man,” Thompson mentioned. “You possibly can’t give it some thought.”
With the Steelers additionally down two inside linebackers in Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander, who have been positioned on injured reserve in consecutive weeks, the group signed Mykal Walker to the 53-man roster and promoted Tariq Carpenter from the apply squad to the lively roster.
Walker, who spent three seasons in Atlanta and began 12 video games final season, joined the Steelers’ apply squad on Oct. 30. He mentioned Friday he anticipated to go well with up and play towards the Browns. He additionally mentioned he and Elandon Roberts practiced sporting the inexperienced dot for defensive communications, however he anticipated Roberts to put on it towards Cleveland.
“All I do know is that they advised me I am enjoying,” Walker mentioned. “I can not ask for something greater than that. I have been given a possibility, whether or not it is one recreation or a complete match, I am prepared for it.”
