The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a big loss on Sunday night as the team fell to the Green Bay Packers by a score of 35-25. The game was disappointing overall as the defense struggled once again, which has become a common them for Pittsburgh in games they lose during the 2025 season. That side of the ball has been a major issue for the Steelers throughout the year, but the offense has taken good steps forward compared to what the unit has been in past years. Unfortunately for the Steelers, their loss on Sunday night also came with some brutal injuries for the team.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale (96) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers already struggle with depth along the defensive line, and that issue got worse in the game against Green Bay as defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale went down with a knee injury during the contest. He entered the blue medical tent after leaving the field, and he immediately went down to the locker room where he was inevitably ruled out for the remainder of the game. NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported on Monday that the veteran defender tore his ACL, which will keep him out for the rest of the year.
#Steelers DL Daniel Ekuale tore his ACL last night in the loss to the #Packers, sources tell me and @RapSheet. A tough blow for the team and the seventh-year veteran. pic.twitter.com/oPAqz19b5T
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 27, 2025
Pittsburgh signed Ekuale to a one-year deal during the 2025 offseason, and he impressed during training camp and the preseason. He was a valuable veteran presence to have along the defensive front, and he has proved to be a good rotational piece for the defense. Pittsburgh will now be without him for the rest of the year, as the organization will look for others to step up.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) and defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale (96) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Ekuale served as a rotational nose tackle behind Keeanu Benton for Pittsburgh, and now the Steelers will need someone to fill that role. Some candidates are Yahya Black, who has the size to play nose tackle but has mostly been deployed as a defensive tackle. Fans might be seeing the rookie in that role more often due to the injury, while Logan Lee and Esezi Otomewo are others options for the coaching staff to consider.
The injury to Ekuale is devastating, but now the Steelers can see more of what they have from younger players like Lee and Black. Lee missed his entire rookie season in 2024 and hasn't seen much playing time in 2025, but that is now subject to change.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers captain and special teams ace Miles Killebrew captures a view at training camp in 2022.
Steelers Catching Bad Injury Luck
This is the second torn ACL the Steelers have seen during the 2025 season, with the first coming to Miles Killebrew. Pittsburgh lost their special teams ace earlier in the season, and he was one of the main leaders on the team as he was a multi-time captain for the organization. Pittsburgh is also still waiting to hear about safety DeShon Elliott, who also went down with a knee injury during the game on Sunday night. His injury did not look good either as he had to be carted off the field and was brought to the locker room.
Pittsburgh is dealing with the attrition that comes with an NFL season, although it is unfortunate that all of these knee injuries have come on its home playing surface. The surface has been called into question several times throughout the 2025 season, as it gets torn up easily which makes it difficult to play on and can lead to injuries like the fans have seen so far.
Who will you look to see step up in Ekuale's absence? Let us know in the comments below!
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