Steelers sign new linebacker after Chapelle Russell injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a pair of corresponding moves on Sunday. First, the team waived injured linebacker Chapelle Russell.

Russell appeared in the Steelers’ first preseason game versus the Buccanneers but after playing with the second team, he suffered a knee injury that ended his day. The injury apparently being severe, the team waived him and signed linebacker Forrest Rhyne.

Rhyne was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts following the 2022 NFL Draft. He was on the Colts’ active roster and practice squad in 2022. He appeared in three games and recorded one team on special teams for Indianapolis. Now, he’ll get a shot to make another practice or active roster with the Steelers.

Going undrafted, Rhyne played his college football at Villanova where he appeared in 45 career games. He recorded 310 tackles, with 131 solo tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Before suffering his knee injury, Russell had one tackle for the Steelers in the 27-17 win versus the Buccaneers. The Temple alum was a seventh-round draft pick for Tampa Bay in 2020. In 2021, he played 16 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars, racking up 18 tackles. Russell spent the 2022 season on the Steelers’ practice squad.

Following the win over Tampa Bay, the Steelers move on to face the Buffalo Bills at home on Saturday.

Steelers sign new safety Jalen Elliott

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced the signing of a former Notre Dame defensive back on Tuesday. Safety Jalen Elliott has joined. the roster for training camp

Elliott initially signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame. He spent two seasons with Detroit.

Last year, Elliott spent time as a member of the practice squad for the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. The signing came just a few days before Pittsburgh hit the field in Tampa Bay for the first preseason game of 2023.

Elliott played in eight games for the Lions during the 2021 campaign. He totaled 12 tackles and made on start.

In addition to signing Elliott, the Steelers also announced it waived injured receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley. 

Before jumping to the NFL, Elliott played at Notre Dame from 2016-19. He appeared in 44 contests for the Fighting Irish, racking up 172 total tackles and defending 11 passes. He also hauled in six interceptions, four of which came in the 2018 season.

On3’s Dustin Schutte contributed to this report.