Steelers DL Stephon Tuitt could be headed to IR

Steelers considering putting Stephon Tuitt (knee) on injured reserve to start the season, which is why they kept 8 defensive linemen, one more than usual. Tuitt has not practiced this year.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 1, 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Gerry Dulac is reporting that the Pittsburgh Steelers are considering putting defensive end Stephon Tuitt on the Injured/Reserve list to start the 2021 NFL season.

Tuitt has been absent for the entirety of the Steelers training camp and preseason dealing with an injury so this move makes perfect sense. It also lines up perfectly, as Dulac pointed out with the Steelers opting to keep an extra defensive lineman on their initial 53-man roster.

If the Steelers put Tuitt on IR, he would be able to return in Week Three by rule. The key to getting a player off IR early is for them to be on the 53-man roster after final cuts.

Tuitt has been the unsung hero on the Steelers defense and is grossly underrated by non-Steeler fans. Last season, Tuitt was dominant with 11 sacks in 15 games but you rarely hear his name among the top 3-4 defensive linemen in the league. The Steelers defense would take a hit if Tuitt has to miss an extended period of time this season.