Steelers Activate ILB Ulysees Gilbert III; Place Robert Spillane on IR

The Steelers have activated inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert II from the injured reserve list and placed injured inside linebacker Robert Spillane on the list.

Gilbert has been out since Nov. 4 with a back injury and just returned to practice this week.

Spillane suffered a knee injury on Monday evening against Washington. He’ll have to miss at least three weeks while on injured reserve. Spillane had already been ruled out for his Sunday’s game at the Buffalo Bills.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 11 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Spillane had been starting in place of injured starter Devin Bush. Avery Williamson replaced Spillane against Washington.

Fellow starter Vince Williams was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list this week and will miss Sunday’s game.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Tegray Scales (40) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 11 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Williamson, Gilbert and converted safety Marcus Allen will be joined at the position by Tegray Scales, who was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game.

Scales is an Indiana alum that was with the Steelers for training camp in 2019 and spent this spring playing in the XFL. He’ll be making his NFL debut.