PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hinted on Friday to something changing with his outside linebackers. Saturday the team ruled Melvin Ingram out against Cleveland with what they claim is a groin injury. They added Taco Charlton to the active roster.
When asked about Derrek Tuszka as the lone backup outside linebacker Friday, Tomlin said he would only be playing special teams. That spoke to either Ingram being healthy or adding a player. It was the latter.
Charlton signed to the Steelers practice squad on September 21 after he was released a month earlier by the Chiefs. A first round draft pick of the Cowboys in 2017, the Michigan product has started 12of 44 career NFL games with 11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. Charlton had seven tackles and a pair of sacks in seven games with Kansas City in 2020.
Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said days after signing Charlton he needed time to learn the defense. While also a defensive end in his career, Butler said the 26-year-old Ohio native would play outside linebacker for the Steelers. It appears Sunday in Cleveland is the time for the former first round pick to prove himself.
A good outing, could land him a permanent spot on the 53-man roster with Ingram’s future in Pittsburgh in doubt.