Steelers Notes: Converted S Tariq Carpenter preps to step as ILB; Chuks Okorafor unsure of role

In need of a fourth inside linebacker for Sunday’s game, strong indications are the Pittsburgh Steelers intend to turn to a converted safety on their practice squad.

How strong are those indications — even to that man, Tariq Carpenter?

“I got my (equipment) bag right here,” Carpenter said, looking down to the super-sized duffle with his number, “49,” on it. “So, I guess that means I am ‘up.’ ”

After Friday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, players across the locker room on the 53-man active roster likewise had their bags out in preparation for staffers to transport pads to Acrisure Stadium, site of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Carpenter was the lone member of the practice squad to have his bag laid out for him Friday.

Presuming that means he will make his season debut Sunday, Carpenter also would be appearing in a game for the Steelers for the first time.

“I get to put on that Steelers jersey,” he said, “and I can say that I’m a Steeler.”

Against his former team, no less. Carpenter was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad after he was part of Green Bay’s cuts at the end of camp. As a rookie seventh-round pick last season, Carpenter appeared in 14 games. While he mostly played special teams, Carpenter made it in for 16 late-season plays as a safety, the position at which he was a four-year starter at Georgia Tech.

But the Packers moved Carpenter to linebacker this spring, and he put on some weight. Listed at 6 feet 3, 230 pounds, he weighs more than starting Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander.

“(Steelers inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry) has been doing a great job of just trying to teach me the position, knowing that I am new to it,” Carpenter said. “I have been doing a real good job of picking things up, so I will be ready.”

The Steelers need Carpenter because of the season-ending knee injury to starter Cole Holcomb. The only inside linebackers on the active roster are Holcomb, Alexander and second-year Mark Robinson.

If Carpenter is the designated call-up — teams get up to two practice squad elevations per game, and an individual player can be elevated three times per season — he would be the Steelers’ choice over fellow practice squad inside linebacker Mykal Walker.

“I know everything is earned,” Carpenter said. “I know I am coming in and playing a new position so I have just kind of putting my head down, going out there on scout team, more focused on self-development, more working on techniques, using my hands and stuff. Even before practices and after practices, Coach Berry has been out there working on my technique and so I actually feel like a linebacker now.”

Okorafor’s role

The practice week ended with Broderick Jones still taking first-team reps at right tackle and erstwhile starter Chuks Okorafor unsure of his role.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Okorafor said when asked if he was to serve as the swing backup at both tackle spots for Sunday’s game. “I can’t answer that.”

Okorafor likewise had no answers Friday when told of published reports detailing what he said and did to earn the benching from Tomlin.

“Who said that?” Okorafor said. “I have nothing to say about that.”

Okorafor and Tomlin each have said the former was benched for last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans for something he said during the Steelers’ prior game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

For now, Okorafor is focused on mentoring Jones, the Steelers’ rookie first-round pick.

“I (offer) just something I might see, anything I can that might help,” Okorafor said. “Maybe I see something different that he might (not see).”

Jones on Sunday would figure to often be tasked with blocking Green Bay edge rusher Rashan Gary, a player generally regarded as one of the best at his position in the NFC.

“I think every (game) there is a (different sort of) challenge,” Okorafor said. “I just know (Jones) has got to do well every week.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.