Steelers Host 5 Defensive Linemen for Workouts

The Steelers hosted five defensive linemen for workouts on Tuesday following the news that Cam Heyward will miss an extended period with a groin injury. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston reported that the Steelers hosted Jacob Slade, Phil Hoskins, Spencer Waege, Taylor Stallworth, and Terrance Lang for workouts.

Slade came out in the 2023 NFL Draft and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. A four-year contributor in East Lansing, Slade racked up four sacks, 86 tackles, and 11.5 tackles for loss over his career. Known as a quality run stuffer, Slade earned several guarantees from the Cardinals when signing after the draft but was released following cut-downs. A solid athlete, Slade primarily played as a shade in college.

Hoskins came into the NFL in 2021 when the Carolina Panthers drafted him in the seventh round out of Kentucky. He spent a full year with the team before being released in 2022, joining the Kansas City Chiefs. Hoskins was waived in August. He has six tackles and one sack in his NFL career thus far. A big lineman, Hoskins can play somewhat up and down the defensive line, but primarily plays as shade.

Waege is a rookie out of North Dakota State. He signed the 49ers as an undrafted free agent but got the short end of the stick during final cut-downs. During his time with the Bison, he earned FCS All-American honors twice while posting 10.5 sacks over his career. Waege played some special teams but is lighter than the previous two, projecting as a 5-technique in Pittsburgh.

Stallworth is a veteran defensive tackle who went undrafted out of South Carolina in 2018. Since then, he has spent most recently in New Orleans, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Houston, and Carolina. The Panthers released Stallworth from their practice squad to make room for former Steelers defensive lineman Chris Wormley. In his career, Stallworth posted 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, with a career-high three sacks coming in 2021 with the Colts.

Meanwhile, Lang comes out of Colorado and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of the 2023 NFL Draft. Lang, a five-year contributor in Boulder, posted 8.5 sacks as a true defensive end. A longer player, Lang measured with 34 3/4-inch arms at Colorado’s pro day.

In addition to the five defensive linemen, the Steelers hosted three wide receivers. Jacob Copeland, Isaiah Coulter, and Deuce Watts came in for workouts. Former Eagles linebacker Kyron Johnson visited. Pittsburgh signed Copeland, signaling the other two receivers are unlikely to be signed to contracts.

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