Pro Football Rumors
Dean Lowry missed the entire 2025 campaign after suffering a torn ACL during last year’s training camp. While he re-signed with the Steelers this offseason, his comeback campaign might not ultimately take place in Pittsburgh. As Mike DeFabo of The Athletic writes, the veteran defensive tackle “is sitting near the roster’s fringe.”
[RELATED: Steelers Re-Sign DL Dean Lowry]
Following a long stint with the Packers and a one-year stay with the Vikings, Lowry joined the Steelers ahead of the 2024 campaign. He ended up getting into 12 games (one start) with his new squad, but he didn’t see a significant role. He was limited to about a 21-percent snap share, and he finished the year with only five tackles and one sack.
He was likely going to see a similar role with the Steelers in 2025, but a torn ACL wiped out his season before it began. He reportedly re-signed with the Steelers this past April, but a subsequent report indicated that he wasn’t ready to put pen to paper. He eventually put his name on the dotted line at the end of May.
While he’s been given medical clearance to participate in practices, it’s uncertain what Lowry will look like when it comes to take the field for preseason contests. While he could provide the organization with some veteran depth on the defensive line, there’s a chance the Steelers opt for a younger piece behind their projected starters.
Derrick Harmon, Cameron Heyward, and Keeanu Benton will still command most of the snaps on the defensive line, although Pittsburgh did lose some depth in Isaiahh Loudermilk and Daniel Ekuale. Sebastian Joseph-Day was brought in for some additional depth, leaving Lowry to compete with the likes of 2025 fifth-round pick Yahya Black and 2026 sixth-round pick Gabriel Rubio for leftover reps.
