Larry Ogunjobi named 'most important injury situation' Steelers must monitor

The Pittsburgh Steelers signing veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi last month to a one-year contract that reportedly could be worth up to $8 million has been called the club's "most savvy" offseason move, largely because it shouldn't have been a possibility in the first place. 

Ogunjobi tallied career highs of seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits featuring for the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2021 NFL season and was prepared to join the Chicago Bears in March via a reported three-year, $40.5 million deal. That agreement was scrapped, however, after the 28-year-old failed a physical for reasons related to a right foot injury he suffered during a January playoff game. 

For a piece published on Friday morning, The Athletic's Mark Kaboly named Ogunjobi's status as "the most important injury situation" Steelers fans will want to monitor throughout the summer and fall months. 

"The Steelers signed him after the summer practice sessions, and his surgically repaired foot that cost him a mega deal with the Bears in March is said to be healthy, but it would go a long way if it is healthy," Kaboly noted about Ogunjobi. "With Stephon Tuitt retiring on June 1, it left a sizable hole on the defensive line that was going to have to be filled by the combination of 35-year-old Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley, Isaiahh Loudermilk and rookie DeMarvin Leal. If Ogunjobi is fully back from his foot injury, he is instantly in the starting lineup next to Cam Heyward, and the trickle-down effect would be sizable to a rush defense that needs it. If not, here we go 32nd-ranked defense against the run again." 

Having Ogunjobi at an inexpensive price in a contract year could prove to be quite a steal for Pittsburgh but only if he remains healthy and, at the very least, matches his production from the prior campaign. Both of those are admittedly big "ifs" heading into training camp and the preseason.