Steelers Sign Productive Rookie Edge Rusher

The Steelers are signing edge rusher David Perales to the practice squad, the team announced on Monday. Perales was released from the practice squad a month ago but will re-join the group with Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt in concussion protocol.

Perales played extensively in the preseason, getting 50 snaps of defense in the opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills, and steadily improving his play. He played 30 snaps against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 and 20 against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3, but saw his PFF grade climb from 42.0 to 48.0 to 63.1. Perales finished the preseason with four tackles and one quarterback hurry.

A hyper-productive college player, Perales played in all 14 games for the Bulldogs in 2022 and totaled 47 combined tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. His best game of last season came against San Jose State when he recorded a career-high five tackles for loss and four sacks in that single game.

Following the season, Perales earned first-team All-Mountain West honors for his stellar play. His 16 tackles for loss were the most in a season by a Bulldog since 2015. His 11.5 sacks ranked seventh in the entirety of the FBS.

Perales broke out in 2021 as he finished the season with a whooping 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks for the Bulldogs. In 13 appearances, Perales tacked on 45 total tackles and three forced fumbles. Following the season, Perales was named to the second-team All-Mountain West for the second season in a row.

Before his time at Fresno, he played for FCS Sacramento State and at the junior college level with Merced Junior College. Perales could circle back around. The Steelers have Kyron Johnson as the only other edge rusher on the practice squad, while the four rostered players on the 53-man roster. All four could theoretically play if the team is without both Watt and Highsmith.