Steelers Sign former Patriots Offensive Tackle

The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. This comes on the heels of the team placing rookie right tackle Troy Fautanu on injured reserve. Fautanu is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 regular season after suffering what turned out to be a major knee injury in practice on Friday.

Anderson, who was released off IR by the New England Patriots last month, worked out for Pittsburgh on Monday. It’s not clear if he was signed to the 53-man roster or the practice squad. The Steelers have an open spot on the 53-man roster with Fautanu being placed on IR, however.

The Steelers have dealt with significant injuries on their offensive line already this season. Center/guard Nate Herbig was lost for the season to a rotator cuff injury in training camp. Left guard Isaac Seumalo has missed the first three games with a strained pec and swing tackle Dylan Cook is on injured reserve with a foot injury.

The Steelers called up tackle John Leglue from the practice squad to play in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Anderson, 26, had two separate stints with the Patriots. He originally signed with New England in 2019 as an undrafted free agent but was with the club for only a few weeks before being waived. He got claimed by the Jets and was with New York until the Denver Broncos signed him off the practice squad on October 1, 2019.

Anderson spent four seasons in Denver, starting 12 games. He started seven games in 2022, all of which came at left tackle.

On March 16, 2023, Anderson signed a two-year contract with the Patriots. He spent much of 2023 training camp on the non-football injury list after he had contracted malaria while doing philanthropic work in Nigeria. He was placed on injured reserve on November 3, 2023, after suffering a heart contusion in practice.

On August 27, 2024, Anderson was placed on injured reserve, ending his season, and released a few days later.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.