After suffering several injuries in Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers were mostly fortunate in the Week 2 victory. They are still dealing with injuries from that season opener though, as several guys remain out. Cam Heyward will be out for at least half of the season. Defensive line was a major concern against the Cleveland Browns with Heyward out, and those things held true.
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The Steelers run defense struggled mightily in the first full game without star defensive lineman Cam Heyward, something they will have to get used to over the next few months.
Even when Nick Chubb went down with a serious injury, the Browns still had success in the running game. They ran for just under 200 yards, as both primary running backs averaged over six yards per carry. Now, on Wednesday morning, the Steelers made an in-house addition to the defensive line. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Pittsburgh has elevated Breiden Fehoko from the practice squad to the active roster.
The #Steelers are signing DT Breiden Fehoko from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, source said. He started three games last year for the #Chargers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2023
This comes just in time for the upcoming Week 3 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. Fehoko was signed this offseason after spending the first three seasons of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers. Ultimately, he was the odd man out in the Steelers' defensive line unit that is filled with depth. Larry Ogunjobi has been dealing with an injury as well, and while he played in Week 2, it's smart for the Steelers to bolster some extra depth along the line.
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With Cam Heyward out for a few months, Steelers defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi will be expected to be the unit's best, most consistent player.
Additionally, things don't get much easier in Week 3, as they will face running back Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022. While the Raiders star has struggled in the first two weeks, the talent is still there. Fehoko isn't exactly a presence in the pass rushing department, as he is more known for being a run stopper. For Pittsburgh's sake, hopefully he helps clog up some lanes moving forward.
Ahead of the victory over the Browns, the Steelers placed running back Anthony McFarland Jr. on the IR. With their third-string running back out for the foreseeable future, a move had to be made. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network has reported that Pittsburgh has signed Godwin Igwebuike off the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Igwebuike originally made the NFC South squad's 53-man roster to begin the season, but was waived after Week 1.
With a loaded running back room in Atlanta, he landed back on the team's practice squad. Now, the Steelers have scooped him up, and this could prove to be a decent find. He had a very impressive summer, which led into the preseason. Against the Miami Dolphins in the preseason, Igwebuike had 13 carries for a game-high 70 rushing yards and a touchdown.
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With Najee Harris' continued struggles, Steelers backup running back Jaylen Warren has built the case to get more snaps moving forward.
That performance helped jolt him onto the team's initial 53-man roster. Unfortunately, with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren locked in as the top-two guys, he may not see much playing time for Pittsburgh. If he can impress in limited snaps though, perhaps the Steelers consider keeping him long-term over McFarland. In a realistic outlook though, it seems like this is just a temporary resolution to the injury to McFarland.
Have Steelers Found Their New Kick Returner?
In his NFL career, Igwebuike has bounced around the league. This will be his sixth stop in the NFL since 2018, and he has just 21 career rushes. It should be noted that he has 39 career kick returns, averaging 25.8 yards per return in those opportunities. McFarland was the team's primary kick returner, so it's possible that Igwebuike picks up that role as well.
What are your thoughts on the Steelers' latest roster moves? What does the team need to do in order to improve the run defense? Will Igwebuike establish himself as the third-string running back moving forward? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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