The Steelers came into the week so healthy that they had some difficult decisions to make on who would be inactive Sunday in Cleveland. Now that it’s Saturday, they actually need to call up a player from the practice squad to fortify their depth against the Browns.
Outside linebacker Taco Charlton, a 2017 first-round pick, was elevated to the active roster Saturday and will make his Steelers debut.
Charlton is needed because of a groin injury for outside linebacker Melvin Ingram. Ingram was downgraded from doubtful Friday to out earlier Saturday.
With a 6-foot-6 frame and listed at 270 pounds, Charlton is intriguing. He was the 28th overall selection four years ago, taken by the Cowboys two picks before the Steelers drafted T.J. Watt.
But the potential Charlton displayed in college at Michigan hasn’t panned out, as he has just 11 career sacks with three teams — Dallas, Miami and Kansas City. The Steelers signed him to their practice squad Sept. 21, about a month after the Chief released him, and they have consistently designated him as one of their protected players each week. Charlton likely will serve as the fourth pass-rusher behind Derrek Tuszka.
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.
First Published: October 30, 2021, 8:28 p.m.
