Steelers Place Stephon Tuitt on IR, Sign L.T. Walton

The Steelers placed defensive end Stephon Tuitt on the injured reserve on Tuesday, likely ending the season of the sixth-year player, and signed veteran backup L.T. Walton.

Tuitt was injured in the first half of the Steelers 24-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and did not return to the game. Monday, it was reported that Tuitt suffered a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery.

He could potentially return during or after Week 15 after spending at least eight weeks on the injured reserve, but surgery for a fully torn pectoral muscle can take several months to heal.

Veteran reserve Tyson Alualu replaced Tuitt on Sunday and is expected to the be the starter going forward.

Walton, 27, was a sixth-round draft pick of the Steelers in 2015 out of Central Michigan and span four seasons with the team. He was not re-signed by the Steelers after the 2018 season and joined the Buffalo Bills, but was cut at the outset of training camp.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Walton will join sixth-round rookie Isaiah Buggs as backup defensive ends on the Steelers roster.

In his four-year career, Walton has played in 36 games and made four starts. He has two sacks, four tackles for loss, 22 tackles, four quarterback hits and three passes defended.