The Pittsburgh Steelers again elevated Kyron Johnson from the practice squad for Thursday’s game against the New England Patriots, activating the young outside linebacker for a second game in five days.
Johnson, signed to the practice squad in October, played exclusively on special teams during Sunday’s home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. As a rookie sixth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles last season, Johnson appeared in 16 regular-season games for the NFC champions but played sparsely on defense.
NFL rules limit practice-squad players to three call-ups to a gameday roster per season. Johnson’s elevations have come after three consecutive games in which the Steelers deployed inside linebacker Tariq Carpenter in that special-teams role.
The team announcement of Johnson’s elevation Thursday afternoon was notable because it did not include Myles Jack. A veteran inside linebacker who came out of retirement to join the Steelers practice squad last month, Jack was a candidate to play against the Patriots because the Steelers have had so many injuries at inside linebacker.
That Jack will not play Thursday is an indication that starter Elandon Roberts might play. Roberts suffered a groin injury against the Cardinals and was listed as questionable to face New England.
Veteran Blake Martinez, though, might make his Steelers debut as a backup at ILB.
Another clue from the Steelers’ announcement regarding practice-squad elevation was the lack of an offensive lineman. That could be a hint that both starters listed as questionable — center Mason Cole and left guard Isaac Seumalo — will play.
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