The Pittsburgh Steelers are working out former New England Patriots outside linebacker Markell Carter and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Ryan Baker today, according to Mike Reiss on Twitter.
Carter, who measures in at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds, originally was drafted by the Patriots with the 194th overall pick in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was released prior to the start of the 2011 season by the Patriots and spent time on their practice squad. At Central Arkansas Carter registered 143 total tackles and 16.5 sacks as a defensive end during his college career and he started all 12 games as a junior and senior. He reportedly ran a 4.70 at the 2011 NFL combine and put up 225 pounds 17 times on the bench.
Baker is a 5-foot-11 out of LSU who was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Buccaneers following the draft in April, but he was released by the team in early May. In college, Baker started for two years at linebacker for the Tigers, finishing his career with 184 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Baker reportedly ran a 4.74 at the the combine back in February and did 30 reps on the bench. Many scouts pegged him as an inside linebacker at the NFL level.
The Steelers already have 14 linebackers on their roster, and as I explained this morning, they might be looking at another camp body at the position because of the possibility that both Jason Worilds and James Harrison could start training camp on the active PUP list. Worilds is still recovering from wrist surgery and Harrison has been nagged with some fluid on his knee. The Steelers currently have one roster spot open following the release of quarterback Troy Smith earlier this week.
UPDATE: According to several reports the Steelers have signed Baker after his workout Thursday.
