The Steelers announced a number of roster moves today to adjust their defense ahead of Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The team elevated veterans linebacker Myles Jack and safety Eric Rowe to the active/inactive roster, giving Pittsburgh some depth at its two thinnest positional groups. Neither player has appeared in a regular season game yet this season.
Additionally, the Steelers activated defensive back Elijah Riley from injured reserve and signed linebacker Kyron Johnson from the practice squad, filling the two vacant spots on the 53-man roster left by running back Anthony McFarland’s release and safety Damontae Kazee being placed on the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list.
After being elevated to the active/inactive roster in three weeks straight prior to Saturday’s game, NFL rules required the Steelers to officially sign Johnson to the 53-man roster if they wanted to play him for a fourth time.
Riley is a versatile defensive back who is primarily a special teamer, but he can play at slot corner and safety as well. Johnson has been a mainstay on the Steelers’ special teams unit the last three games, although he has yet to play a regular season snap defensively.
Down their top four safeties and two of their top linebackers heading into Week 16, the Steelers need all the help they can get at those positions against the Bengals on Saturday. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
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