Steelers Sign Veteran Edge Rusher

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji to their practice squad, the team announced Friday. Ogundeji worked out for the Steelers on Thursday.

Ogundeji was a fifth-round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He has 27 starts in 35 career games under his belt. In 2022, he recorded 42 total tackles (19 solos), two sacks, and three tackles for loss. Ogundeji  had seven tackles in the Falcons’ 19-16 loss to the Steelers in 2022.

Ogundeji spent the entire 2023 season on injured reserve. He was released by the Falcons on May 16.

Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith drafted Ogundeji out of Notre Dame when he was the head coach in Atlanta, so I’m sure he had an input in bringing him to Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have three outside linebackers on the initial 53-man roster in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Ogundeji and Marcus Haynes are the only two outside linebackers currently on the practice squad. With 27 starts in the NFL, Ogundeji  could be a player elevated to the 53-man roster.

Along with Ogundeji, the Steelers also signed wide receiver Ben Skowronek, guard/tackle John Leglue, guard/tackle Doug Nester, running back Boston Scott, wide receiver Brandon Johnson and linebacker Devin Harper to the team’s practice squad on Friday.

They join the eight Steelers players who were re-signed to the practice squad on Thursday — tight end Williams, running back Jonathan Ward, fullback Jack Colletto, , defensive tackle Jacob Slade, outside linebacker Marcus Haynes, cornerback Anthony Averett, cornerback Zyon Gilbert and defensive back Thomas Graham.