The Pittsburgh Steelers have filled the open spot on their 53-man roster that belonged to fullback Roosevelt Nix with a member of their practice squad.
Linebacker L.J. Fort, who has been on the team’s practice squad all season, has been promoted to the 53-man roster to replace Nix, who suffered a broken bone in his foot during Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Fort entered the league with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Northern Iowa in 2012. He has also spent time on the rosters of the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and New England Patriots. Fort has played in 17 career games (16 with Cleveland in 2012 and one with Seattle in 2014). He has registered 13 tackles, one sack, one interception and five special teams tackles during that span.
During the preseason, Fort registered 2 special teams tackles after being claimed off waivers from the Patriots. There’s a good chance he’ll be active Sunday for the Steelers finale against the Browns as a core special teams player just as Nix was. Nix suffered an injury to his fifth metatarsal on Sunday and that injury requires season-ending surgery.
The Steelers will now probably fill the open spot on their ten-man practice squad.
