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Steelers Waive Injured ILB Ulysees Gilbert III

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Steelers ILB Ulysees Gilbert III

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived inside linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III with an injury designation, according to the NFL transactions report for Wednesday, likely ending his tenure with the team.

Gilbert, 25, suffered a right ankle injury during training camp this week and told Steelers Now reporter Nick Farabaugh that he expected to miss a few weeks.

“You know, I’ll be out a couple of weeks,” Gilbert said of the injury. “It’s not ideal, but it’s just another obstacle to overcome.”

RELATED: Ulysees Gilbert III to Miss ‘Few Weeks’ with Ankle Injury

The Steelers’ 2019 sixth-round pick out of Akron, Gilbert’s pro career has been beset by injuries. He was placed on the injured reserve in 2019 and twice in 2020 with back injuries, which impacted him all the way through to the 2021 season.

In his three-year career, Gilbert has played in 28 games with the Steelers, 17 of which came in 2021. He has 25 career tackles, mostly on special teams.

The Steelers have a crowded room at inside linebacker, with Robert Spillane and Devin Bush battling for a starting role alongside Myles Jack, veteran special teamer Marcus Allen and youngsters Buddy Johnson and Mark Robinson all vying for roles.

If Gilbert clears waivers, he will revert to the Steelers’ injured reserve list. The team can retain his rights going forward, but Gilbert is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in March.

“I know what God has planned for me,” Gilbert said. “I’m going to fight back, go with this rehab, and come back better than ever. I believe in that.”

With the room cleared on the 90-man roster by Gilbert’s release, the Steelers claimed defensive end Hamilcar Rasheed from the New York Jets.

With Gilbert’s release, the Steelers now have five players remaining from their 2019 NFL Draft class: Bush, Diontae Johnson, Justin Layne, Benny Snell and Zach Gentry.