Steelers Lose Key Special Teamer for Multiple Weeks

The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed linebacker Tyler Matakevich on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury, the team announced on Tuesday.

Matakevich suffered the injury while making a tackle on a punt return in the team’s Week 2 game against the Denver Broncos. Because he was placed on the injured reserve list, he must miss at least four weeks with the injury.

The Steelers can designate up to eight players to return from the injured reserve list over the course of a season. They have already designated tackle Dylan Cook and outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon to return, so they have six remaining.

Matakevich had two tackles over the first two games to lead all Steelers special teamers. He had played 36 snaps over two games, all on special teams. In addition to punt coverage, he also worked on punt return, kick coverage and kick return units.

The 31-year-old returned to Pittsburgh this summer after spending the previous four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. He was originally a seventh-round draft pick of the Steelers out of Temple in 2016.

The Steelers did not announce a replacement for Matakevich on the 53-man active roster. They had been carrying five inside linebackers, so they likely do not need a replacement in that area.

It’s possible that cornerback James Pierre, who re-signed to the team’s practice squad on Tuesday, could take Matakevich’s roster spot for special teams purposes.

Wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who is on the practice squad but was called up for each of the first two games and served as a special teams gunner as week, is also dealing with a shoulder injury, head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INJURY UPDATES