USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions are keeping Tyson Alualu around for their whole playoff run, signing for the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle to their active roster just head of the NFC Championship. 

Alualu, 35, joined the team's practice squad at the end of the regular season, playing two games prior to the postseason. He's been elevated for their first two playoff games, and will now be part of their 53-man roster as they look to earn their place in Super Bowl LVIII with a win over the San Francisco 49ers. 

Alualu spent six years with the Steelers, playing in 81 games, including 26 starts. He recorded 158 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and nine passes defensed while part of Pittsburgh's defense. 

He'll join former Steeler Cam Sutton on the Lions' defense for the NFC Championship game. This season, Sutton has started all 17 games for Detroit, recording one interception, six passes defensed and 65 tackles in his first year with the team. 

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