Three LB options for Steelers after second season-ending injury

The Steelers lost LB Kwon Alexander for the season with a torn Achilles a week after they lost LB Cole Holcomb to a season-ending knee injury. Pittsburgh is now very thin at the position, so here are three options the team could turn to.

Mykal Walker

Walker is the obvious choice. The former fourth-round pick by the Falcons is currently on the Steelers practice squad and could get promoted to the active roster with his solid resume. The 26-year-old has 187 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and 11 passes defensed from 2020-22.

The fourth-year linebacker has put his sideline-to-sideline speed on display to begin his career but has yet to stick on a team. Pittsburgh is his fourth stop in his NFL journey, and he is surely hoping it could be his last. Walker may just get the opportunity to prove it should be.

Rashaan Evans

Evans would be the flashy pickup. The former first-round pick currently resides on the Cowboys practice squad. But if the Steelers are still interested in the veteran linebacker, whom they hosted on a visit during the summer, they could steal him from Dallas.

The 28-year-old has underwhelmed as a first rounder but hasn't been bad either, posting 479 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and 12 passes defensed from 2018-23. Evans is the athletic linebacker Pittsburgh is now missing as Elandon Roberts' and Mark Robinson's strength is stopping the run.

Nick Kwiatkoski

Kwiatkoski is the feel-good option. The former fourth-round pick grew up in Pittsburgh and is currently a free agent after spending the summer with the Steelers. Kwiatkoski was released in August as part of the team's final roster cuts but would bring a ton of experience back on defense and special teams.

The 30-year-old has 293 tackles, seven sacks, eight forced fumbles, two interceptions and 12 passes defensed from 2016-22. A reunion between Pittsburgh and Kwiatkoski makes sense for more than one reason, and returning to play for his hometown team would just be the cherry on top.