PITTSBURGH — Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi feels healthy heading into the bye week for the first time in nearly a year. Ogunjobi suffered a foot injury in August during the team’s training camp. Following that, he would miss the preseason and not practice much leading up to the team’s first game against the 49ers. He finally came off the injury report after their game against the Texans. Ogunjobi told Steelers Now that the foot injury is fully a thing of the past.
Of course, Ogunjobi had an injury scare against the Ravens. He left for a short period, grabbing at his shoulder or neck. However, he returned to the game and told Steelers Now it was just a stinger. Ogunjobi, for the first time since training camp, and really since the middle of last season, feels like he is playing games fully healthy.
To his credit, the play has come with that. Ogunjobi has been playing his best football since 2021 when he was still with the Cincinnati Bengals. Needing to step up in a big way without Cam Heyward, Ogunjobi has done just that and is on pace to shatter his pressure rate from last year.
“I feel great, I really do,” Ogunjobi said. “The foot is fully healthy, I feel like I am playing some good football now.”
His forced fumble on a screen pass by chasing Justice Hill from behind might have been the first key that allowed the Steelers to pull the game back in their direction. Despite the drops, his hustle and play in run defense have helped Pittsburgh tremendously. Ogunjobi’s injury prevented him from reaching full effectiveness over the first part of the season. Still, despite that, he has given the team above-the-line play despite some increased attention without Heyward.
It was always a risk for the team to pay Ogunjobi this offseason, but if he can continue this level of play and stay healthy, the team has a nice rotation of players on the defensive line. They need Ogunjobi, and he’s rising to the occasion.
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