On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced four practice squad players they are protecting from being signed by other teams for their Week 3 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. That list includes S Karl Joseph, RB Jaylen Samuels, LB Derrek Tuszka, and newly signed DE Taco Charlton.
It is very surprising in my opinion that the Steelers included Charlton in that list, as he was signed just 24 hours before and still might be needing directions on how to get to the Steelers facility daily.
Samuels has been a fixture on this list each week, and this is Joseph's second time being mentioned on this list as well. This is obviously Charlton's first time on this list with the Steelers, and it is also Tuszka's first time as well.
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The reason both Charlton and Tuszka are on this list likely has to do with the multiple injuries they are currently dealing with along the front line of their defense.
Both OLBs TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith are dealing with groin injuries, while Tyson Alualu was placed on IR with a fractured ankle joining Stephon Tuitt on that list. Carlos Davis also missed Week 2 with a knee injury.
That is five players along their front line that are missing time, so it makes sense the Steelers want to make sure they have their depth options protected.
Hopefully the Steelers are able to get healthy as they move into Sunday's home game vs. the Bengals, as their defense has been bit with injuries within the past week.
#SteelerNation
