The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed offensive tackle Dylan Cook to their practice squad, the team announced on Monday, after surprisingly releasing the promising young lineman last week.
Cook had spent the entire regular season on the injured reserve list while dealing with a preseason Lisfranc injury. He was reinstated from the injured reserve list to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, but curiously placed on waivers on Thursday. Cook cleared waivers on Friday, and will now re-join the team in a practice squad capacity.
The Steelers still have one open slot on their 53-man after roster from Cook’s release that the club has not yet filled.
Cook was given a valuable injured reserve-return slot coming out of the preseason, along with outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon. Only two players can go on injured reserve before the roster cut-down date and return in the same season, and only eight players can return from IR over the course of the entire year.
The Steelers have now used three IR-return slots for Cook, Moon and inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich. He could fill the vacant slot on the 53-man roster if he’s ready to return this week. Matakevich was a limited participant in practice last week.
With Cook on the practice squad, veteran Calvin Anderson will continue to be the team’s No. 3 tackle. Anderson, who was signed as a free agent after injuries to Cook and first-round draft pick Troy Fautanu, has played in one snap. He replaced Dan Moore Jr. against the New York Giants last Monday and allowed a sack on his only play.
Spencer Anderson can also provide in-game backup options at all five positions. Cook will serve as the de facto No. 4 offensive tackle from the practice squad.
Cook was signed by the Steelers at the very beginning of OTAs in 2023 after spending the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He impressed with the Steelers, and made the team’s 53-man roster as the No. 4 tackle. He spent the entire 2023 season on the active roster, but was dressed for one game, with the Steelers have excellent health along their line last year.