The Pittsburgh Steelers filled the open spot on their 10-man practice squad on Tuesday with a player that several will recognize.
Signed was safety Ross Ventrone, who started the 2015 season on the team’s 53-man roster. Ventrone played in the Steelers first five games of the season as contributor on special teams where he registered 3 total tackles. After suffering a hamstring injury during the Steelers Week 5 Monday night game against the San Diego Chargers, Ventrone was let go in order to make room on the roster for wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who missed the first five games of the season due to a suspension and minor knee injury.
Ventrone eventually was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad at the end of October, but that stay with his former team only lasted a few weeks.
The Steelers likely re-signed Ventrone because of the shoulder injury that safety Mike Mitchell suffered this past Sunday as he will likely miss practice time this week. If Mitchell is unable to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, there’s a chance Ventrone could be promoted to the Steelers 53-man roster on Saturday.
The Steelers had an open spot on their practice squad after promoting linebacker L.J. Fort to the 53-man roster on Monday to replace fullback Roosevelt Nix, who was placed on the team’s Reserve/Injured list with a broken bone in his foot.
