The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed guard Nate Gilliam to their practice squad, the team announced on Friday.
Gilliam, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound Wake Forest alum, spent a week with the Steelers’ practice squad last month before his release on Dec. 29
The Steelers are thin along the interior of their line headed into the regular season finale at Baltimore on Sunday.
Center Kendrick Green is in the COVID-19 protocol and had been dealing with a calf injury before that. J.C. Hassenauer is expected to start in his place.
Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. is doubtful to dress against the Ravens with an ankle injury. Joe Haeg or Zach Banner will draw into the starting lineup to replace him.
John Leglue has already been playing in place of left guard Kevin Dotson, who remains on the injured reserve list with a high ankle sprain. Backup center/guard B.J. Finney is also on injured reserve.
That will leave the Steelers with just one healthy backup on the 53-man roster entering Sunday’s game. Guards Rashaad Coward and Malcolm Pridgeon and tackle Chaz Green are candidates to be game-day elevations from the practice squad.
Gilliam is in his second professional season and has not played in any NFL games. He joined the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and-resigned with the team in 2021, but has never been elevated to the active roster.
The Steelers released wide receiver Rico Bussey and wide receiver Damion Willis was activated from the practice squad COVID-19 list and released. The team’s practice squad now stands at the maximum of 16 members.