Steelers Add Athletic LB, to Play Significant Role

The Pittsburgh Steelers have elevated inside linebacker Myles Jack from the practice squad for the fourth consecutive week, the team announced on Sunday. Jack will play in his fourth game with the Steelers since returning from retirement in November.

Jack first played against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16, and he was thrust into a big role right away last week when Elandon Roberts suffered a pec injury, forcing Jack to wear the green dot and play the entire rest of the game. Jack recorded six tackles, two quarterback hits, and a sack in that contest. Two weeks ago, Jack started and went wire-to-wire, playing all 49 snaps against the Seattle Seahawks. He recorded eight tackles and was second on the team. Against the Ravens, he played 35 snaps and worked in the team’s sub-packages.

Now, Roberts is set to heighten his workload as he recovers from his injury, but Jack has played well enough in his absence to likely continue to start, with Mykal Walker, Mark Robinson and Blake Martinez serving as depth options.

Jack could only be elevated from the practice squad a maximum of three times during the regular season. He can be elevated again in the playoffs, where there is no maximum.

Jack, 28, played in 15 games and made 13 starts for the Steelers last year. He led the Steelers in tackles with 104 last season, and also had three tackles for loss, three passes defended and one quarterback

Jack was released by the Steelers in a salary cap related move in March. After being a free agent for most of the summer, and contemplating leaving football for a trade, he signed with the Eagles on Aug. 6. Jack lasted just a few weeks with the Eagles, when he decided to retire from football on Aug. 20.