Steelers Lose OLB Derrek Tuszka on Waivers to Titans

The Tennessee Titans have claimed former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka off waivers.

The Steelers cut Tuszka after claiming Jamir Jones on waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars as the squad re-worked its outside linebacker depth on the eve of the season.

The Steelers also traded for Malik Reed from the Denver Broncos and released all of the players that had been vying for a spot in camp: Tuszka, Delontae Scott and Hamilcar Rashed Jr. Rashed has since been added to the practice squad.

Jones and Tuszka’s Steelers careers almost perfectly intertwined. The Steelers lost Jones on waivers to the Los Angeles Rams early in the 2021 season, causing them to claim Tuszka. Now with Jones back, Tuszka’s time with the Black and Gold has ended.

Tuszka played in the final 15 games of the 2021 season with Pittsburgh, recording 18 tackles, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hits and two sacks. Tuszka also played multiple special teams phases for the Steelers.

A South Dakota native, Tuszka played collegiately for five years at North Dakota State, where he won four national titles and was a unanimous FCS All-American in 2019. 

He was a seventh-round pick of the Broncos in the 2020 NFL Draft and split the 2020 season between the Denver practice squad, active roster and injured reserve list, playing in nine games while making six tackles.

The Titans have been collecting former Steelers edge rushers for the past two seasons. In 2021, Tennessee signed both Steelers starter Bud Dupree and backup Ola Adeniyi to free agent contracts. Former Pitt star Rashad Weaver is the team’s fourth outside linebacker.

The Steelers and the Titans are not scheduled to play this season.