The Pittsburgh Steelers have been calling in every available inside linebacker they can find to help bolster their injury-ravaged defense. This includes some unexpected players like Tyler Murray, who was working in an Amazon warehouse when he got the call. Also David Martinez who was just signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad and now finds himself in the Steel City. However, they aren't all new faces. Myles Jack is thrilled to be back in Pittsburgh, in part because he feels like he has unfinished business.
Jack, who has been a bit injury-prone during his career, looked like part of the solution to the Steelers' inside linebacker problem in 2022. While no one could totally make up for the deficiencies presented by Devin Bush, Jack definitely helped solidify the defense. However, just as Jack was getting his feet under him, the injury bug struck again and ultimately the Steelers cut him.
Now Jack is getting another shot. While Bush might be gone, the Steelers' problems at inside linebacker are not. After revamping nearly the entire room during the offseason, the team has found itself scrambling to patch the holes left by the injuries to Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander. However, Jack got the call and returned to Pittsburgh following the loss in Week 11 to the Cleveland Browns.
During his 13 starts with the Steelers in 2022, he made 104 total tackles. After being released by Pittsburgh, Jack chose to retire when there were no other NFL teams knocking on his door. Now he is back, signed to the practice squad, and hoping to get a shot to prove what he can do at this point in his career. Jack told the media that he was ready when asked why he chose to return.
"It was kind of like why not? I've been taking care of myself, I've been playing basketball, eating good, just been focused, so when the opportunity came up, I was like, 'Shoot, I feel good, why not?' I'm excited to be here."
On the subject of his injuries, Jack said that it was hard to have to step away like that. He feels he is currently at 80% and expects to be at 100% before the Week 12 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He says he is even at the same weight, despite not being in a football locker room for almost a year.
Jack said he is hoping that what he has been doing while he was away is enough to help speed up the process of getting back on the 53-man roster. He told the media he has no animosity over being cut by the Steelers last year, he understands that ultimately football is a business. Most frustrating for Jack is the fact that he felt like he was hitting his stride when he suffered his last injury.
"You can't really get emotional or anything about it. It's how it goes, but I guess it's true love, they brought me back. I felt like I was figuring things out and then boom, had to have a surgery midseason. I tried to rush back and then tore my groin. Then once you tear that groin, man. It's a hurt business, you going to get hurt, injuries happen all the time."
While the Steelers have brought in some other options at inside linebacker, having a player return who actually knows the system could possibly be a game changer. He comes in one step ahead of any of the other newer players.
Myles Jack And The Steelers Felt Right
Jack, who attended UCLA, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft after a significant drop. There were concerns surrounding injuries even back then and most draft experts agree that it led to him plummeting from the top 10 to the second round. He stayed in Jacksonville until 2021 when he was released by the Jaguars.
Then in 2022, Jack completed his first stint with the Steelers, the one that ended with a groin injury. He attempted to make a return to football with a stop with the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of 2023. He ultimately announced he was retiring from football and planned to pursue a career in a trade, such as plumbing or electrical.
During his seven years in the NFL, Jack played in 103 games, starting in 95. He amassed three interceptions, two touchdowns, two forced fumbles, six and a half sacks, and 617 combined tackles.
Here is to hoping that Jack can stay healthy and provide some immediate relief to a defense that is struggling as it deals with inconsistencies.
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