Steelers Add Two Veterans to Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers get some much-needed starting experience on defense for Week 16.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding two veterans with plenty of starting experience to their defense for Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team announced they have elevated inside linebacker Myles Jack and safety Eric Rowe to their active/inactive roster for the game. 

The elevation allows both practice squad members to be part of the roster for game day before going back to the practice squad afterward. Both Jack and Rowe are expected to be significant contributors on defense in Week 16, and could both start due to injuries. 

With Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and Trenton Thompson (neck) both ruled out, an Damontae Kazee suspended for the remainder of the regular season, the Steelers will turn to Rowe, Miles Killebrew and cornerback Patrick Peterson at safety. 

Elijah Riley (ankle) is listed as questionable heading into the game, but could return from Injured Reserve to join the group as well. 

Rowe, a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, has 100 games of NFL experience, including 56 starts. Last season, he started six games for the Miami Dolphins.

At linebacker, Jack will return to the active defense for the first time since signing with the practice squad late in the year. The veteran started the year by announcing his retirement but returned to the Steelers after injuries to Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander. 

The group this week will consist of Jack, Elandon Roberts, Mykal Walker, Blake Martinez and Mark Robinson. Jack could get his first start of the year next to Roberts as Pittsburgh continues to look for their best insider backer amongst Jack, Walker, Martinez and Robinson. 

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