Steelers make roster moves ahead of Sunday matchup against Bengals

The Steelers elevated Cody White and Derrek Tuszka from their practice squad. White is a wideout from Michigan State who signed with the Steelers practice squad at the start of the season. Tuszka is a linebacker from North Dakota State who came over from the Denver Broncos signing to the practice squad on Sept 1.

Covering injuries to the linebackers

Derrek Tuszka was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of last year’s NFL Draft. At North Dakota State he was a three-year starter From 2017 to 2019. His first year in 2015, he won an FCS championship as a true freshman.  And in the three years, he started he helped lead the Buffaloes to three more championships, bringing his college total to four.

Tuszka won the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in his senior season. He was also named an FCS All-American and made the first-team All-Missouri Valley in the same year. This was all thanks to the 48 tackles, 19 for loss, 13.5 sacks, one force fumble, and five passes deflected.

Tuszka joins the team after the unfortunate news that Steelers starting linebacker TJ Watt will be out for Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Watt has been battling a groin injury that he suffered last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was a limited participant in the Steelers’ Wednesday and Thursday practices. Watt at one point seemed to be trending towards an active status, saying, “If I’m going to play, I’m going to play like I always do.” According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Watt was “close” to playing; however, it was the team’s decision to “protect him from himself” and rule Watt out, despite his belief he’s ready to go. Linebacker Alex Highsmith suffered a groin injury against the Raiders and will be out as well.

Offensive help for the Steelers

Cody White was brought up after the Steelers Diontae Johnson injured his knee at the end of the Raiders loss. Johnson did not participate all week for Pittsburgh. He led the team in receiving in the loss with nine receptions for 105 yards.

The Steelers are looking to turn things around against the Bengals. So far on the season, Pittsburgh has not looked good on offense. They rank near the bottom of the league in both pass and rushing offenses. With a few key players out White and Tuszka could see a good amount of playing time against their division rival.