After preseason of inactivity, Larry Ogunjobi 'excited' for 2nd year with Steelers

Larry Ogunjobi’s inactivity during the preseason hasn’t dampened his mood heading into his second regular season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Although he did not play in the preseason because of a foot/ankle injury — at one point in training camp he was spotted wearing a walking boot — Ogunjobi sounded optimistic Monday when asked how he feels heading into the Steelers’ opener Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

“Good, excited,” Ogunjobi said. “I’m just excited.”

Ogunjobi was on the practice field regularly until he missed the preseason opener at Tampa Bay. The veteran defensive tackle didn’t participate in team drills the remainder of training camp and also sat out games against Buffalo and Atlanta.

He has three days of practice this week before the Steelers face the 49ers. The first injury report of the year will be released Wednesday.

“I don’t like talking too much about what’s to come,” Ogunjobi said. “I just let it happen. I’m excited, blessed to be in this position. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”

A foot injury that required surgery before he signed with the Steelers in June 2022 limited Ogunjobi’s practice participation for much of the season although he played in 16 of a possible 17 games.

“Reps are always important,” he said. “I always want them. Certain things happen, and you have to take them in stride. I take my personal development very seriously, and I do the things I need to do to make sure I’m ready.”

Fellow defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, the Steelers’ oldest player at 34, was on the field for just 10 snaps in the preseason.

“Just making the most of my situation,” he said Monday. “I’m trying to get better in my reps, understanding that the reps matter more in the season than the preseason, and I have to be smart about it going forward.”