Steelers Cut Former Falcons Defensive Tackle

By Chris Ward

·Updated: August 27, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Willington Previlon during a training camp practice on Aug. 3, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Willington Previlon during a training camp practice on Aug. 3, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released defensive tackle Willington Previlon, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon. Willington is a part of the final wave of roster cuts as the Steelers trimmed their roster from 91 to 53 players. The Steelers are deep on the defensive line, so Previlon’s release is not surprising. He could be a candidate to be brought back on the practice squad, however.

The Steelers claimed Previlon off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons on June 21.

Previlon, 27, has spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Falcons since signing with the Packers as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers in 2020, but has never played in a regular season NFL game.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman played in three preseason games with the Packers in 2021 and and three each with the Buccaneers in 2022 and 2023. In nine games, he has recorded seven tackles and two quarterback hurries. He split his time between three-technique and five-technique, according to Pro Football Focus.

Previlon was a three-year regular on the defensive line for Rutgers. His best season came as a redshirt senior in 2019, when he recorded 35 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one pass defended.

The Steelers don’t have an obvious need at defensive tackle, but adding Previlon will allow them to roll through four complete units on the defensive line during training camp, with Previlon now the 12th member of that unit. The Steelers had Jayden Peevy at minicamp on a tryout basis, but elected not to sign him.