The Pittsburgh Steelers address a D-line injury crisis in their 2024 training camp by signing Breiden Fehoko and Kyler Baugh on Aug 1. Learn why.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The dog days of training camp are officially taking their toll on the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive line. Faced with a sudden rash of injuries in the trenches, the team moved quickly on Friday, bringing back a familiar face in nose tackle Breiden Fehoko and adding another lineman, Kyler Baugh, to provide much-needed reinforcements.
'Non-earth shattering news: I'm signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.'
The biggest news of the day came straight from the source. Breiden Fehoko, known for his powerful pre-game Haka and previous stints on the Steelers' practice squad and active roster, announced his return on social media with his classic dry humor. His message, 'Non-earth shattering news: I'm signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers,' was a welcome sight for fans. Fehoko, who played 19 games with the Chargers and recorded 36 tackles, provides an immediate, experienced body who knows the system. His signing isn't just about filling a camp spot; it's about bringing in a known commodity who can genuinely compete while the team's regulars mend.
These signings weren't made in a vacuum. The first week of padded practices has clearly thinned the defensive line group, forcing the front office's hand. Alongside Fehoko, the Steelers also brought in Kyler Baugh to ensure they have enough healthy players to run effective practices and evaluate talent. This is a classic training camp strategy: keep a list of 'bubble' players on speed-dial for exactly this scenario. The team needs to maintain competition and have enough bodies to get through the grueling preseason schedule without overworking key players who are already healthy.
So, what does this mean for the final 53-man roster? While stars like Cam Heyward are locks, the depth chart behind them is now a hotbed of competition. Fehoko and Baugh are immediate challengers for the final defensive line spots. They'll have to make a strong impression quickly, not just in practice but in the upcoming preseason games. Their performance will be measured against other depth players, and every rep will count. For Fehoko, his familiarity with the team gives him a slight edge, but for both men, the path to a roster spot is clear: prove you can stay healthy and make plays when your number is called.
As the second week of training camp continues, all eyes will be on the newly reinforced defensive line. The immediate challenge for Fehoko and Baugh is to get up to speed and prove their worth. For the Steelers, the hope is that these moves provide enough cover to weather the current injury storm and enter the preseason with a deep, competitive group ready to fight for their spot on the team.
