It took 11 weeks into the NFL season for the Pittsburgh Steelers to bring linebacker Tuzar Skipper back to their 53-man roster.
Skipper, who was lost on a waiver claim to the New York Giants after the first week of games, returned to the Steelers on Tuesday when defensive end L.T. Walton was placed on injured reserve with a meniscus tear in his knee. Skipper was signed from the Giants practice squad and must spend three weeks on the Steelers’ active roster.
A rookie outside linebacker from Toledo, Skipper was signed out of a tryout camp after the NFL Draft. He was a training camp and preseason phenom, recording five sacks and two forced fumbles in the exhibition games.
The Steelers placed Skipper on waivers Sept. 7 when they promoted wide receiver Johnny Holton from the practice squad for the season opener at New England. Two days later, the Giants placed a waiver claim for Skipper.
Skipper totaled three tackles and a half sack in six games for the Giants before he was waived and signed to their practice squad on Oct. 23.
Skipper will provide a healthy alternative at outside linebacker. Anthony Chickillo was inactive against Cleveland with a rib injury and Ola Adeniyi left early in the first quarter with a concussion.
Walton was signed earlier in the season after defensive end Stephon Tuitt was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. Walton was not active for any games.
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
