UNITY TWP., Pa — The name is Chapelle Russell. You probably don’t know the name right now. But Russell, nicknamed ‘Deuce’ affectionately by his teammates, has been with the team for nearly a year, spending most of the 2022 season on the practice squad with the Steelers. The former Temple linebacker is just trying to showcase things.
“I feel like I’m the all-around linebacker,” Russell said. “You know, I just try to find my role and do the things I know I’m good at. This league has taught me that you better be good at everything you do. So, I try to embrace that. I like to think I can do a bit of everything.”
Well, yesterday, Russell showed that he could do a bit of everything. Russell was the surprise winner of the linebackers. He won all five of his reps and had some good pass breakups, including a great rep against Najee Harris. Russell stuffed that texas route. Later, he made a pass breakup on a wheel route intended for Darius Hagans. Russell really made himself known in coverage. In the 7-on-7 period, Russell would force a fumble on a crosser route and snatch the ball out of the hands of the receiver. That day at practice showed the journey Russell went through to get here.
“You know, to get here, the journey was not easy,” Russell said. “Football was always a way out of whatever was going on around me. It was my outlet. I poured myself so much into this. So, I feel like I can come out here and show my talents.”
The Steelers have a lot of intriguing pieces in the inside linebacker room but not a lot of proven experience. Russell is a guy who could stick out in practice, but he needs to make strides to really crack through during games. Regardless, his effort is something that Russell is putting on every day.