The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted four edge rushers for visits Wednesday. The team then elected to sign an edge rusher already on an NFL practice squad — Carolina Panthers’ Jeremiah Moon.
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported the Steelers “are set to sign” Moon from the Panthers practice squad. To do so, the Steelers must ink Moon directly to their active roster.
Doing that will bring Moon back to Pittsburgh for the first time since training camp. The edge rusher has also previously played for the Baltimore Ravens.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac confirmed the report on social media Thursday morning.
This season, Moon played one game for the Panthers. He was a practice squad elevation during Week 9.
Moon didn’t receive a snap on defense in the contest, but he played six special teams snaps.
Steelers Signing LB Jeremiah Moon: Report
The Steelers were in the edge rusher market this week with questions surrounding both T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig.
Neither Watt nor Herbig practiced Wednesday. Watt remained sidelined after needing surgery last Thursday because of a partially collapsed lung. Herbig suffered a hamstring injury Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.
If Watt and Herbig both don’t play Sunday versus the Detroit Lions, the Steelers will be down to only Alex Highsmith and Jack Sawyer as their healthy edge rushers on the active roster.
With Moon, the Steelers are bringing back an edge rusher they are very familiar with from the past two years.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Moon signed with the Ravens. The 27-year-old made his NFL debut with Baltimore during the 2023 season.
Following the 2023 campaign, the Ravens waived Moon. A few weeks later, the Steelers claimed the edge rusher.
In 2024, Moon posted nine combined tackles during 13 games for Pittsburgh. Moon has played in more contests for the Steelers than any other NFL team combined.
The edge rusher returned on the Steelers offseason roster this past summer. The team waived him because of an injury before the first preseason game.
Steelers’ Other Edge Rushing Depth Options
Watt and Herbig have combined to post 13.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and 35 quarterback hits this season. Being without both in Week 16 will be a significant loss for the Steelers.
But it could be worse. The Steelers posted four sacks versus the Dolphins without Watt. Herbig also played only about half of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps in the contest because of his hamstring injury.
Highsmith is a high-quality edge rusher in his own right. In 10 games this season, he owns 6.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits.
Either Sawyer or Moon will likely start opposite Highsmith on Sunday if both Watt and Herbig can’t play.
The Steelers could also turn to former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal. As a Day 2 selection for Pittsburgh in 2022, Leal has been a disappointment in his career. But this season, he’s provided depth from the practice squad.
In Week 15, Leal played as a practice squad elevation. Over four games this season, Leal has two combined tackles while playing 20 defensive snaps and 10 snaps on special teams.
Outside linebacker Julius Welschof is another edge rusher available on the Steelers practice squad.
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