Reinforcements have been added to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury-depleted outside linebacker position.
The Steelers signed Ade Ogundeji to the 53-man roster on Saturday and elevated Eko Leota from the practice squad.
Those additions will give the Steelers four healthy outside linebackers for their game Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Until Saturday, the only healthy outside linebackers on the 53-man roster were T.J. Watt and Jeremiah Moon, and Moon was only a week removed from being activated from injured reserve.
Ogundeji made 27 starts combined in the 2021-22 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He missed the entire 2023 season because of injury.
To make room for Ogundeji, the Steelers placed defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal on injured reserve with a neck injury that he sustained in the Steelers’ 20-17 loss to Dallas in Week 5. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig also was injured in the game and will not suit up against Las Vegas. Starter Alex Highsmith will miss his third consecutive game with a groin injury.
The Steelers also elevated running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad Saturday. It is the second consecutive week that Ward will be on the gameday roster. It is the first elevation for Leota.
Backup running back Jaylen Warren also has been cleared to play against the Raiders after sitting out a week with injury. Warren had the “questionable” designation removed from his injury status before the Steelers departed for Las Vegas.