The Steelers filled their need for another backup inside linebacker when they came to terms on a one-year contract with Steven Johnson, who has played for Denver and Tennessee over the past four years.
Johnson adds depth at inside linebacker, where the Steelers recently lost two backups, Sean Spence and Terence Garvin, as free agents. Vince Williams plays behind starters Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier.
Johnson (6 feet 1, 237 pounds) played in all 16 games in 2015 for the Tennessee Titans, mostly on special teams with no starts.
He signed with Denver in 2012 as an undrafted rookie from Kansas and played for the Broncos for three seasons, starting seven games in 2014.
He also started one of the five postseason games he played for the Broncos.
He primarily has been a special-teams player, something the Steelers expect of their backup linebackers.
Johnson, who turns 28 Monday, was born in Media, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia.
The Steelers also are still waiting to see if veteran linebacker James Harrison is interested in returning for a 14th season.
First Published: March 25, 2016, 3:35 p.m.
Updated: March 26, 2016, 4:54 a.m.
