The Pittsburgh Steelers made a couple of roster moves on Monday as tackle Marcus Gilbert has been placed on injured reserve with his ankle injury. Wide receiver David Gilreath was also waived.
The Steelers filled those two spots by activating rookie guard David DeCastro from the Reserve/Injured; Designated to Return List and promoting guard/center John Malecki to from the practice squad.
Gilbert suffered an injured tendon in his ankle in the game against the Tennessee Titans back in Week 6. He tried to practice two weeks ago for the first time but must have suffered a setback.
DeCastro received clearance to begin practicing with the team last Wednesday. It was his first team practice since sustaining a knee injury in the team’s third preseason game against the Buffalo Bills back in August.
The release of Gilreath is a good sign that Antonio Brown is ready to return from his high ankle sprain suffered in Week 9 against the New York Giants. Gilreath very well might be signed back to the open spot on practice squad on Tuesday if he clears waivers.
The promotion of Malecki might be a sign that Mike Adams will be down a few weeks with an ankle injury. The Steelers could decide to start Kelvin Beachum at right tackle next week or they could choose to flip right guard Ramon Foster over one spot as well with DeCastro now back. Left guard Willie Colon is also an option to move back to right tackle should an emergency arise.
Should Foster indeed be moved, Doug Legursky might start at right guard if DeCastro is still rounding into better football shape.
