Steelers Elevate Two NFL Vets from Practice Squad vs. Jets

The Pittsburgh Steelers have elevated outside linebacker Ryan Anderson and cornerback Josh Jackson from the practice squad in advance of the team’s Week 4 game against the New York Jets, the team announced on Saturday.

Anderson, 28, played four seasons in Washington from 2017-20 after first joining the Redskins as a second-round draft pick out of Alabama in 2017. Anderson never became the starter that he was projected to be, starting only four games in four years. But he did have 44 tackles and four sacks in 16 games in mostly a reserve role in 2020.

The following season, Anderson signed with the New York Giants on a one-year deal, but was suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, was cut by the Giants two days later and had not returned to an NFL locker room until the Steelers added him to their practice squad on Sept. 13.

Anderson will join the active roster as a replacement to Delontae Scott, who was a game-day elevation in each of the Steelers’ last two games, but was released this week to make room on the practice squad for punter Jordan Berry.

Scott’s role had been minimal. He played seven snaps of defense against New England and nine against Cleveland without recording any statistics.

Outside linebacker David Anenih, who the Steelers signed from the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad in Week 2, has been a healthy scratch for each of his first two games, but also could dress this week.

The Steelers will have to play at least two more games without outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who remains on the injured reserve list with a left pectoral injury.

Jackson, 26, spent three seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 2018-20 after being selected as a second-round draft pick out of Iowa in 2018. Jackson started 10 games as a rookie, but then settled into a rotational role, playing 42 games over three seasons and recording 86 tackles, two for a loss and 12 passes defended.

Jackson was traded to the New York Giants in the 2021 preseason, was cut and ended up on the the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. He was elevated from the Chiefs practice squad twice in 2021, but was not retained. Jackson was with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason before joining the Pittsburgh practice squad on Sept. 5.