As expected with all the injuries on the defensive line, the Steelers promoted defensive lineman Steve McLendon from the practice squad to the 53 man roster and waived rookie linebacker Thaddeus Gibson. This is the 3rd time McLendon has been activated this year as he was signed off the practice squad for the games against the Titans and the Ravens this season. He recorded a fumble recovery against the Titans and did not see any action against the Ravens. He will likely be rotated in Sunday night against the Saints with both defensive ends Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel sidelined with injuries.
Gibson, the Steelers 2010 fourth-round pick out of Ohio State, has been a gameday inactive in each of the Steelers first six games this season. If Gibson clears waivers, he will likely be signed to the Steelers practice squad to fill the spot vacated by McLendon. As far as the reasoning behind the move, Mike Tomlin said, “Linebacker is our deepest position and (Gibson) is the low man on the totem pole, so we had to make that necessary move. We were thin at defensive line. It’s just one of the casualties of this profession. It’s very much a reality, and that’s why we don’t take what we’re doing here for granted and we acknowledge that it’s precious.”
