Former NFL starting linebacker Tae Crowder and former Ohio State running back Master Teague were released among roster moves made by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday.
Outside linebacker Toby Ndukwe was signed, becoming the second rookie to make the team off a tryout at rookie minicamp. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Ndukwe was an all-Western Athletic Conference selection at Sam Houston State in 2022. He played the prior four seasons at SMU but only made five starts and primarily played on special teams.
But as a graduate transfer at the FCS level this past year, Ndukwe had at least one tackle for loss in every game he played.
Toby Ndukwe comes up with a big TFL on 1st down to put the Trailblazers behind the chains.
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) October 23, 2022
Kats defense forces the turnover and take over, down 3-0 #EatEmUpKats
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Crowder started the first eight games of last season for the New York Giants and appeared in the first 13 games for that team, which made the playoffs and was 6-2 when he started. But he was eventually benched and then demoted to the practice squad, off which the Steelers signed him in late December.
A former seventh-round pick, Crowder appeared in 41 games and started 31 for the Giants from 2020-22.
This is the third time the Steelers have released Teague since August. The 5-11, 220-pound Teague scored two touchdowns during the national championship game after the 2020 season, when Ohio State lost to Alabama — whose running back was Najee Harris.
Also released by the Steelers on Monday was linebacker Emeke Egbule, who’d joined the Steelers via the practice squad in December. Egbule appeared in 32 games for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2019-21, mostly on special teams.
The Steelers last week signed running back Alfonzo Graham among the 33 players at rookie minicamp on a tryout.
After Monday’s moves, the Steelers’ roster sits at 87, leaving three spots available before the start of on-field organized team activities practices Tuesday.
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