Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker DeMarvin Leal is being elevated to the active roster. The move is being made after Alex Highsmith suffered a high ankle sprain that will likely keep him out through the bye week.
Pittsburgh released Leal at the end of training camp, but he had an impressive preseason that allowed him to stick around the team. Now, he will get another shot.
Leal missed most of the 2024 season after suffering a neck injury against the Dallas Cowboys. He had surgery for that issue, which is something that other teams will be wary of if they plan to add him back to the roster.
A former third-round pick out of Texas A&M, Steelers coaches praised Leal as finally having a breakout summer in 2024, and it felt like he was starting to turn the corner. He could play inside or outside, but that took a turn. Now, in his fourth season, Leal became buried on the depth chart behind rookie Jack Sawyer.
However, he will have a chance as the team’s fourth edge rusher that can bring some run defense upside to the table. On top of that, Leal has played special teams in the past, which fits what the team could need with Nick Herbig getting more snaps.
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