It was a bit of a a surprise when Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced at the start of training camp that second-year nose tackle Alameda Ta\’amu would start off his second trip to Latrobe on the Active PUP list. Ta\’amu wasn\’t put there for failing the run test, however, as the Washington product couldn\’t run due to him injuring his hamstring a few weeks earlier while training. As of Monday, Ta\’amu has been removed from the Active PUP list, according to Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest on Twitter.
Ta\’amu was healthy for all of the offseason practices as he looks to show he can be the backup to starter Steve McLendon this year after having his rookie season interrupted by an off-the-field driving under the influence incident that led to several charges being filed against him and a two week suspension from the Steelers without pay.
Ta\’amu has a lot of catching up to do over the course of the next few weeks and there is a good chance he\’s behind fellow nose tackle Hebron Fangupo on the depth chart right now due to all of the time he\’s missed.
During the offseason practices, the Steelers also used defensive end Al Woods as the second-team nose tackle, so the former fourth-round draft pick, along with Fangupo, still apparently have a ways to go in their development.
The Steelers more than likely will keep six defensive linemen on the 53 man roster this year, so Ta\’amu must now prove he is worthy of that sixth spot.
