Steelers Surprisingly Cut Promising Offensive Lineman

The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived offensive tackle Dylan Cook, the team announced on Thursday.

Cook, 25, had spent the entire regular season on the team’s injured reserve list while rehabbing a preseason Lisfranc injury. Cook had opened his 21-day practice window before the team’s bye, and was a full participant in practice leading up to the final game of the first half against the New York Giants on Monday.

The Steelers had activated Cook from the injured reserve list to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, according to the NFL transaction report, but the club did not announce the move. Now, Cook has been released.

The Steelers did not make a corresponding transaction and now only have 51 players on their active roster. One of those slots will be taken by cornerback Cam Sutton, who has a roster exemption that will expire on Monday, but the club now has two other openings as they move through their bye week.

Veteran offensive tackle Calvin Anderson had been signed by the club as a free agent to be the team’s top backup at tackle after injuries to both Cook and first-round draft pick Broderick Jones. Anderson played in one snap over the three games he’s been active for the Steelers, allowing a sack against the Giants on Monday in one play replacing Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle.

Azeez Ojulari & Brian Burns 3rd down sack pic.twitter.com/qR05aBLbfH

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) October 29, 2024

Backup offensive lineman Spencer Anderson can play all five positions, and West Virginia rookie Doug Nester, on the practice squad, plays guard and tackle.

Cook was signed by the Steelers at the very beginning of OTAs in 2023 after spending the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He impressed with the Steelers, and made the team’s 53-man roster as the No. 4 tackle. He spent the entire 2023 season on the active roster, but was dressed for one game, with the Steelers have excellent health along their line last year.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dylan Cook at the team’s minicamp, June 12, 2024 — Ed Thompson // Steelers Now

This season, Cook again appeared to be slated to be the No. 4 offensive tackle, but he suffered a Lisfranc injury to his left foot in the preseason. The Steelers kept him on the active roster, and used one of their two preseason injured reserve-return designations on Cook.

But one day after he was elevated from the IR, he was released. Cook will now go through waivers. If he clears, he will be eligible to be added to the Steelers practice squad.