Linebacker Chad Brown is back with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brown, a Pro Bowler with Pittsburgh 10 years ago, signed Thursday with the Steelers, whose linebacking corps is on the limp.
Contract terms were not disclosed.
Chad Brown was released Sept. 1 by the New England Patriots.
(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
"I am pleasantly surprised at how familiar it seems," Brown said. "A lot of the defences are the same coach [Dick] LeBeau ran 10 years ago.
"I have got some work to do. But I think my experience will help me.
"It's odd. But it's odd in a good and exciting way."
Brown, 36, was released Sept. 1 by the New England Patriots, despite registering 47 tackles in 15 games for them last season.
But he no longer scares opposing quarterbacks.
Brown's 78 career sacks rank second among active linebackers to Willie McGinest's 80, but he has managed just one sack and no interceptions since 2003.
Still, the Steelers figured he could help.
"It's kind of a crash course in everything," Steelers head coach Bill Cowher said. "I know he was here before.
"But that was 10 years ago. There are a few cobwebs we have to unleash up there to bring him back to where we are.
"His participation will be based on how comfortable he is. But we won't throw him in there right away."
Pittsburgh (1-3) hosts the Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) on Sunday and might be without injured Pro Bowler Joey Porter (hamstring) and fellow linebacker James Harrison (ankle).
Cornerback Deshea Townsend (hamstring) is also questionable.
"When times have been tough, we have responded well," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. "And times are tough right now, so we will see how we are going to respond."
Brown has 1,068 tackles, 15 fumble recoveries, six interceptions and three touchdowns in 178 games (160 starts) over 13 NFL seasons for the Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Patriots.
Drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round (44th overall) in 1993, he was named to the Pro Bowl in 1996, 1998 and 1999.
With files from the Associated Press
