Steelers Promote Promising Edge Rusher for Jets Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers promoted outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji to the active roster from the practice squad for Sunday night’s game against the New York Jets, the team announced on Saturday afternoon. Ogundeji  was signed to the practice squad on Aug. 30 and was with the club up until Monday when he was released. He was re-signed to the PS two days later.

The Carolina Panthers snatched linebacker Jacoby Windmon off the Steelers practice squad on Tuesday. Windmon’s exit opened up one spot for the Steelers on the practice squad, so Ogundeji returning was an expected move. Eku Leota was the only outside linebacker on the practice squad.

Ogundeji will serve as the team’s No. 4 OLB against the Jets, behind T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Jeremiah Moon. Highsmith (groin) will be active for the first time since Week 3, while Nick Herbig remains out with a hamstring injury.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji at practice on Sept. 5, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Ogundeji made his Steelers debut in last Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He only registered a pass deflection on 16 defensive snaps. He had been elevated to the active roster on Saturday ahead of the trip out to Las Vegas.

“I see it as an opportunity,” Ogundeji said last week. “You don’t get this opportunity all the time. Last year, I didn’t play because of injury at all. Whenever I go out there, I go out there, play to the best of my ability and do what I can do.”

Ogundeji hasn’t been with the Steelers long, but when it came to the depth options last week, he was the most experienced.

“I feel like I’ve been here enough,” he said. “I’ve been here since right before the season and I’ve been able to pick up some stuff. The guys above me have been really well about teaching it. I feel like I’m ready.”

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 had seven tackles in the Falcons’ 19-16 loss to the Steelers in 2022.

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.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.