Before Week 17, defensive tackle Kyler Baugh had spent every game of the 2025 NFL season on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. Then on December 24, the Steelers released Baugh to add wide receiver Brandon Johnson.
On Monday, though, the Steelers brought back Baugh.
The team announced Monday afternoon Baugh signed a contract to return to the Pittsburgh practice squad. To make room for the defensive tackle, the Steelers also released defensive back Daryl Porter.
Baugh has never appeared in an NFL regular season game. But from the practice squad, Baugh will provide extra defensive line depth for the Steelers, who are entering a must-win contest in Week 18.
The Baltimore Ravens will visit Pittsburgh on Sunday night in a game that will determine the AFC North champion.
Porter made his NFL debut for the Steelers during Week 16 versus the Detroit Lions. He played one defensive snaps and three snaps on special teams.
Steelers Bring Back DT Kyler Baugh
Baugh began his career as an undrafted free agent last season. He didn’t get signed, though, until the Atlanta Falcons added him to their practice squad in December 2024.
After playing for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL, Baugh joined the Steelers training camp. The defensive tackle didn’t make the team’s roster, but he joined the Pittsburgh practice squad on August 27.
With the Minnesota Golden Gophers during his college career, Baugh posted four sacks, four pass defenses, and a forced fumble.
After his return, Baugh is one of three defensive linemen on the Steelers practice squad with one week remaining in the regular season. The other two — Anthony Goodlow and DeMarvin Leal — play defensive end.
The team has Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon and Logan Lee listed as the four defensive tackles on the 53-man active roster.
Heyward, Harmon and Benton all appeared to emerge from Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns healthy. So, the Steelers probably won’t need Baugh to play a significant role in the upcoming game.
Still, defensive line depth could be key against the Ravens in Week 18. All-Pro running back Derrick Henry rushed for 216 yards Saturday against the Green Bay Packers.
Henry had 94 rushing yards versus the Steelers in Week 14. In last year’s playoffs, he posted 186 rushing yards in a 28-14 Baltimore win.
Steelers Release CB Daryl Porter
To create space for Baugh, the team parted ways with an undrafted free agent who made his league debut just eight days ago.
Porter was one of two practice squad elevations for the Steelers in Week 16. He reverted back to the team’s practice squad after the game.
The Steelers didn’t elevate Porter for Week 17. On his four snaps versus the Lions, Porter didn’t record a statistic.
Porter signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in May. The Bills waived Porter early in training camp.
The defensive back signed with the Steelers about a week later. Like Baugh, he didn’t make the first 53-man roster but joined the practice squad in late August.
Porter’s father, Daryl Porter Sr., was a Steelers sixth-round draft pick in 1997. Porter Sr. never played for Pittsburgh but spent six years in the league.
Steelers Bring Back Defensive Lineman Days After Release, Cut DB After Debut