The Pittsburgh Steelers saw two linebackers depart from their practice squad Tuesday. Less than 24 hours later, the Steelers signed a linebacker who had a previous stint with the team — second-year defender Jacoby Windmon.
The team’s assistant director of communications Michael Bertsch announced the signing on X.
Windmon joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft. The linebacker agreed to a contract that included a $10,000 signing bonus.
The Steelers released Windmon at the end of their 2024 training camp, but the team re-signed him to their practice squad. The Carolina Panthers, though, quickly signed Windmon to their active roster.
In eight games with the Panthers, Windmon posted 22 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss. He also had two quarterback hits, two pass defenses and 1.5 sacks.
Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, The Steelers Depot’s Jonathan Heitritter described Windmon as having experience along the edge and at inside linebacker.
Windmon returns to the Steelers after the team lost linebackers Jon Rhattigan and Ja’Whaun Bentley off their practice squad on the same day.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Steelers waived Bentley to sign running back/returner Raheem Blackshear to their practice squad. The Las Vegas Raiders then poached Rhattigan, signing him to their active roster Tuesday night.
Steelers Sign LB Jacoby Windmon to Practice Squad
With Windmon, the Steelers are adding some much-needed linebacker depth to their practice squad. After Tuesday, the only linebacker left on Pittsburgh’s practice squad was Julius Welschof, who is more of an outside linebacker.
While Windmon can play edge as well, he can provide depth inside if something happens to one of the four linebacker on the Steelers active roster.
At linebacker, the Steelers have Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener on the 53-man roster.
Windmon will arrive in Pittsburgh familiar with even some of the organization’s newest players. The linebacker played two years with first-round rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon at Michigan State.
Windmon’s College Career
The linebacker played five college seasons, beginning at that level with UNLV. In three seasons with the Rebels, he posted 169 combined tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 30 games.
Windmon played with Harmon and the Spartans from 2022-23. The linebacker’s best statistical season in the Big Ten came in 2022 when he posted 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He also had six forced fumbles during 2022.
In his last season at UNLV, Windmon had 6.5 sacks.
Before the 2024 NFL Draft, Windmon showcased quality athleticism and speed. However, he didn’t possess the other physical attributes typically needed to be a late-round drafted linebacker.
“In the pre-draft process, Windmon ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and showed decent agility but poor explosiveness and strength, posting a low 16 bench press reps and a 5.68 out of 10 overall Relative Athletic Score,” Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders wrote. “He was not expected to be drafted and was the No. 501 overall player in the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board.”
But he will get another shot at an NFL opportunity while on the Steelers practice squad.
Steelers Bring Back Versatile LB Day After 2 Linebacker Departures