The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking for ways to improve the team in one way or another. Even though the Steelers are preparing for their second preseason game, there's nothing wrong with grabbing a little more depth, especially with the injury to Troy Fautanu. The Steelers previously moved Spencer Anderson to guard, which leaves Dylan Cook as the backup tackle. While Fautanu should be able to make a full recovery by Week 1, it never hurts to have a Plan B just in case things go wrong.
Karl Roser / pittsburgh Steelers
Troy Fautanu works on blocking drills during Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
To help with offensive tackle depth, the Steelers went to the waiver wire to find their new man. They announced that they claimed TyKeem Doss off waivers from their hated rival, the Baltimore Ravens.
We were awarded OL TyKeem Doss off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens. @BordasLaw https://t.co/qzIa5D2rvx
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 12, 2024
Earlier in the day, the Steelers waived Kalon Barnes with an injury designation, so Doss will just take his spot on the roster. He has yet to play a down in the NFL, but he spent the 2023 season on the Ravens' practice squad. They brought him back in 2024 on a futures contract, but he was waived during training camp. The Steelers picked him up from waivers the very next day.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt and Troy Fautanu compete during training camp in 2024.
Steelers Have A Lineman That's Used To Rising In Rank
Doss started his career with East Central Community College, where he spent two seasons. After his sophomore year, he received a scholarship to move all the way up to the FBS Division 1-A level when he got an offer to play for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. He spent three years there before entering the 2023 NFL Draft, where he went undrafted. He was signed about a week after by the Ravens.
The Steelers claimed OL Tykeem Doss off waivers from Baltimore, the team announced.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 12, 2024
Undrafted out of Southern Mississippi in 2023, Doss has played tackle and guard for the Ravens in preseason games over the last two years.
In college, Doss played both guard and tackle, depending on where he was needed most. When he went to Baltimore, he continued down that same path, acting as a utility lineman. He has played outside and inside during his time with the Ravens, including their Week 1 preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. The Steelers could use him as such.
Even though the 380+ pound lineman can play both tackle and guard, the Steelers are already loaded on interior offensive line depth. They need some help on the outside while Fautanu recovers from his injury. At very least, he could earn a spot on the practice squad if the rookie tackle recovers quick enough to play. If not, he may find himself on the 53-man roster.
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