The Pittsburgh Steelers/20379/”>Steelers will be without edge rusher Alex Highsmith again for Week 5 after he missed his first game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts on September 29. However, another edge rusher could soon return to the lineup.
On October 2, the team announced they had opened the practice window for outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon. Now back at practice, the Steelers have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve. If they don’t do so within that period, Moon will remain on IR for the rest of the season.
In addition to Moon’s return to practice, the Steelers made some immediate roster moves on October 2, including a change to their practice squad involving another outside linebacker.
The team announced the signing of edge rusher Jacoby Windmon to the practice squad. Windmon, an undrafted free agent in 2024, was with the Steelers during training camp.
Pittsburgh also officially added running back Aaron Shampklin to their 53-man roster.
Jeremiah Moon Returns to Practice for the Steelers
Moon wasn’t expected to be among the top three edge rushers for Pittsburgh this season, but there was some anticipation surrounding him before his injury.
That excitement stemmed from the Steelers claiming Moon off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens in January 2024. The Ravens released the 25-year-old to make room for tight end Mark Andrews’ return from injury.
Moon played eight games for the Ravens last season, recording 12 combined tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 forced fumbles. He appeared on 99 defensive snaps and 142 on special teams.
Moon initially joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2022. An ankle injury in Week 2 of the preseason landed him on injured reserve.
NFL rules allow teams to activate up to eight players from injured reserve each season, and Moon would be Pittsburgh’s first. The Steelers have until October 23 to bring him onto the active roster.
Steelers Re-Sign Jacoby Windmon, Promote Aaron Shampklin
Unless Moon is ready to play by October 6, which is unlikely, the Steelers will only have two true edge rushers on their active roster.
While Windmon doesn’t change that, his presence adds some depth at the edge position on the practice squad.
Steelers Depot’s Jonathan Heitritter described Windmon as a “toolsy” pass rusher, though he struggles in run defense. “He has a knack for forcing turnovers and has plenty of moves to challenge pass blockers,” Heitritter noted, “but his smaller size makes him less reliable against the run.”
Windmon is not the only edge rusher Pittsburgh has added to their practice squad recently. On October 1, the team signed Eku Leota, and they also have outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji on the squad.
On the offensive side, the Steelers are addressing injuries at running back. Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson have each exited the last two games with injuries.
Shampklin, who made his NFL debut in Week 4 as a practice squad elevation, now provides more backfield depth on the active roster.
