Steelers give LB more credit Myles Jack, make a few roster changes in advance of Week 16

The Steelers receive some safety and linebacker support in advance of their game against the Bengals on Saturday.

In order to make defensive adjustments before their matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, the Steelers announced a number of roster changes today.

Veteran linebackers Myles Jack and Eric Rowe, a safety, were added to the active/inactive list by the team, providing Pittsburgh with depth at its two weakest positional groups. This season, neither player has yet to make an appearance in a regular season match.

The Steelers also signed linebacker Kyron Johnson from the practice squad and activated defensive back Elijah Riley from injured reserve to fill the two openings on the 53-man roster caused by the release of running back Anthony McFarland and the placement of safety Damontae Kazee on the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list.

After being elevated to the active/inactive roster in three weeks straight prior to Saturday’s game, NFL rules required the Steelers to officially sign Johnson to the 53-man roster if they wanted to play him for a fourth time.

Riley is a versatile defensive back who is primarily a special teamer, but he can play at slot corner and safety as well. Johnson has been a mainstay on the Steelers’ special teams unit the last three games, although he has yet to play a regular season snap defensively.

Down their top four safeties and two of their top linebackers heading into Week 16, the Steelers need all the help they can get at those positions against the Bengals on Saturday. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

 

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