Steelers Have an Unusual Option at OLB
With the Pittsburgh Steelers decimated at the outside linebacker position, the team could pivot to an unusual option in defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk. The 6-foot-7, 293-pound Loudermilk got a few reps at outside linebacker in Sunday night’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter when the Steelers were down to just one outside linebacker.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin ruled out both defensive end/outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal (stinger, neck) and outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. They join Alex Highsmith (groin) on the injury list. Highsmith is not expected to be back until the Week 7 game against the New York Jets.
Jeremiah Moon is slotted to start at right outside linebacker opposite of T.J. Watt, but could Loudermilk serve as depth piece at OLB? Tomlin expressed that it’s a legit option.
“Moving forward, he’s just a versatile guy,” Tomlin said during his Tuesday press conference. “He [Loudermilk] and Leal are defensive linemen that are participants in special teams. Both guys are on kickoff and I think that speaks to their unique skill sets and allows him to position flexibility to slide outside and give us some big man presence when lines get short, certainly.”
Tomlin said Wednesday will be a big day for the practice squad edge rushers, Ade Ogundeji and Eku Leota. One or both of those players could be elevated.
The Steelers signed Ogundeji to their practice squad on Aug. 30. Ogundeji was a fifth-round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He has 27 starts in 35 career games under his belt. In 2022, he recorded 42 total tackles (19 solos), two sacks, and three tackles for loss. Ogundeji spent the entire 2023 season on injured reserve. He was released by the Falcons on May 16.
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith drafted Ogundeji out of Notre Dame when he was the head coach in Atlanta, so I’m sure he had an input in bringing him to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers signed Leota to their practice squad on Oct. 1. Leota, 25, is in his second professional season. He first joined the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn last spring. Leota played in eight games with the Panthers in 2023 and two more this season, including one start, but he was released by Carolina on Sept. 24.
In 10 NFL games, he has played 133 snaps of defense and 113 on special teams. He has also played in all six special teams phases for the Panthers.
Moon, who was originally an undrafted free agent out of Florida, signed with the Baltimore Ravens his rookie season where he spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad before seeing his first extended play time last year.
The Steelers activated Moon (ankle) from the injured reserved/designated to return list ahead of the Cowboys game.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
Read This Next
