Steelers add tackle depth, Highsmith out
To replace rookie firstround pick Troy Fautanu’s spot on the 53-man roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers added a tackle with four years of NFL experience.
Calvin Anderson, who had 14 starts and appeared in 46 games over the past five seasons with the New York Jets, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, was signed Tuesday to provide depth on an injury-plagued offensive line.
Anderson started two games at right tackle for the Patriots last season and seven games at left tackle for the Broncos in 2022 in his most recent playing experience.
Fautanu was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a knee injury that could keep him out for the rest of the regular season. At his weekly news conference, coach Mike Tomlin said he would know the extent of Fautanu’s injury when he meets with doctors after practice Wednesday.
Anderson will serve as the swing tackle behind Broderick Jones on the right side and Dan Moore on the left. Less than a week after he was demoted to second team, Jones recaptured his starting job because of Fautanu’s injury and played every offensive snap in the Steelers’ 20-10 victory Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The previous week, Jones was called for three penalties in a six-play span.
“I’m not surprised by that,” Tomlin said. “Broderick has a great deal of confidence in himself, particularly for a young guy. The performance was what it was in Denver. He didn’t make excuses or seek comfort. He simply acknowledged it and went back to work. I think when you take that approach, you really tee yourself up for the appropriate bounce back, and he did.”
Another addition to the 53man roster was cornerback James Pierre, who was signed off the practice squad. He takes the spot of cornerback Cory Trice, who was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and must sit out at least four games.
Pierre spent his first four seasons with the Steelers before signing with Washington in the offseason. The Steelers brought him back to the practice squad last week, and he will compete to be the top backup cornerback.
In a practice squad move, the Steelers brought back linebacker Marcus Haynes and cut tight end Matt Sokol.
Highsmith out
The Steelers will be without one of their defensive starters Sunday when they face the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is expected to miss the game because of a groin injury he sustained late in the first half against the Chargers.
The injury paves the way for Nick Herbig to make his first NFL start. Herbig had two sacks in the second half against the Chargers following Highsmith’s injury. He led the Steelers with 3.5 sacks in the preseason.
Defensive end DeMarvin Leal will fill in as the top backup at the outside linebacker spots behind Herbig and T.J. Watt. Leal has played just 17 snaps on defense in three games.
“I don’t view that as a significant issue in terms of him elevating and getting more opportunity,” Tomlin said. “It’s more of the same, really. It’s probably more of what he desires to do because he definitely wants to play.”
Other injuries
Tomlin also ruled out tight end MyCole Pruitt, who did not play against the Chargers because of a knee injury.
Left guard Isaac Seumalo (pectoral strain) and running back Jaylen Warren (leg) enter the week as questionable.
Tomlin pulled Warren late Sunday when he noticed the running back was limping. He said the injury is not related to the hamstring issue that bothered Warren in the preseason.
“Jaylen is tough, he’s just going to go,” Tomlin said of his decision to remove Warren. “We’ll see where his availability is as we work this week.”
Until Seumalo returns, Tomlin plans to rotate rookie Mason McCormick into the mix at left guard where Spencer Anderson has started the first three games. McCormick played several series in place of Anderson against the Chargers.
