The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed 2015 first round draft pick outside linebacker Bud Dupree on the Reserve/Injured List. Dupree has been nursing a groin injury that has held him out of training camp and all four preseason games. Dupree contributed to the Steelers defense during his rookie campaign with 26 total tackles and 4.0 sacks, the third most sacks for a Steelers rookie in team history.
Pittsburgh Steelers Place Bud Dupree on IR
We have placed LB Bud Dupree on the Reserve/Injured List, and signed LB Steven Johnson.
📰 | https://t.co/MZmnPoK25m pic.twitter.com/j9ZeWiXSer
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 4, 2016
The Steelers used the available spot to sign inside linebacker Steven Johnson to the active roster. Johnson was an undrafted free agent in 2012 signed by the Denver Broncos. In 2015 he was picked up by the Tennessee Titans where he was mainly a special teams contributor. The inside linebacker from the University of Kansas had an eye-catching 2016 training camp with the Steelers and was a favorite to make the 53-man roster. He ended up being cut and re-signed within a 24 four period.
This is a major blow to a Steelers linebacking core and the projection of a young outside linebacker. Dupree was a favorite to burst out in his second year and give the Steelers an impact and the insurance of moving on from James Harrison. The Steelers will be looking for Arthur Moats and Anthony Chickillo to rotate snaps in the pace of Dupree. Dupree is likely out for the first eight weeks. The Steelers, fortunately, have a bye week after week seven so they will have that week to see what they have, and how healthy he is before throwing him out there. Either way, any expectations of Dupree having a major impact, especially in the early going are over.
More details to come on the groin injury of Bud Dupree that has placed the outside linebacker on IR.
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