Steelers Sign Veteran Edge Rusher
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji to their practice squad, the team announced Friday. Ogundeji worked out for the Steelers on Thursday.
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.
The Steelers have three outside linebackers on the initial 53-man roster in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Ogundeji and Marcus Haynes are the only two outside linebackers currently on the practice squad. With 27 starts in the NFL, Ogundeji could be a player elevated to the 53-man roster. Ogundeji would serve as the No. 4 OLB and be a special teams contributor.
Herbig tied for the NFL lead in sacks this preseason, recording 3.5 over three games for the Steelers. He’ll still be the No. 3 OLB, but Herbig could receive more playing time this season compared to last year. He’s too talented to be on the sideline. On any other team, he would be a starter.
Along with Ogundeji, the Steelers also signed wide receiver Ben Skowronek, guard/tackle John Leglue, guard/tackle Doug Nester, running back Boston Scott, wide receiver Brandon Johnson and linebacker Devin Harper to the team’s practice squad on Friday.
They join the nine Steelers players who were re-signed to the practice squad on Thursday — tight end Rodney Williams, running back Jonathan Ward, fullback Jack Colletto, defensive tackle Jacob Slade, outside linebacker Marcus Haynes, cornerback Anthony Averett, cornerback Zyon Gilbert and defensive back Thomas Graham and wide receiver Quez Watkins.
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