Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers tried out yet another former member of the New England Patriots this week, bringing outside linebacker Titus Leo to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday, according to the NFL transactions page.
Leo, 26, is a 6-foot-3, 245-pound edge rusher that could help the Steelers’ depth after losing starter Alex Highsmith to a high ankle sprain. Highsmith has been ruled out for this week’s game in Foxboro against the Patriots. DeMarvin Leal was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to help with depth at the position.
The Steelers already have several former Patriots on their defense. The team signed defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale early this offseason, safety Jabrill Peppers joined the team last week and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley came to Pittsburgh this week after last having played for New England.
Leo spent the end of the 2024 season with the Patriots. He was signed off the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on Nov. 19, and appeared in four games down the stretch run of the 2024 season, recording four tackles, one for a loss and one pass defended.
Leo was waived by New England on April 28. He was claimed on waivers by the Tennessee Titans. They waived him on Aug. 5, and Leo signed with the Cleveland Browns, where he remained until Aug. 24.
He appeared in two preseason games with the Browns, playing 34 snaps of defense and recording three tackles.
Originally a sixth-round pick of the Colts out of Wagner in 2023, Leo spent his rookie season on injured reserve before being waived last August and being signed to the practice squad.
Over five seasons at Wagner, the Brooklyn, New York native recorded 234 tackles, 40 for a loss, 13 sacks and six forced fumbles and was an FCS All-American, a two-time Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-NEC selection.
Nick Herbig is expected to start at outside linebacker opposite T.J. Watt against the Patriots, with fourth-round rookie Jack Sawyer and Leal providing depth. International pathway program player Julius Welschof is the only other outside linebacker on the Steelers’ practice squad roster.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Try Out Another Former Patriots Defender
