The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to sign outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon from the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers , according to a report by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
His signing comes as the Steelers are scrambling to find depth at the outside linebacker position. T.J. Watt is still recovering from a partially collapsed lung and Nick Herbig is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in Monday night's win over the Miami Dolphins . Neither player practiced on Wednesday , leaving the Steelers with just four healthy options at outside linebacker.
In addition to signing Moon, the Steelers also tried out four other edge rushers at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. They will need to make a spot on their 53-man roster in order to make the Moon signing official. Because he was signed away from another team's practice squad, he must spend at least three weeks on the Steelers' active roster.
Moon, 27, spent the entire 2024 season in Pittsburgh and was waived this August after a preseason injury. He signed with the Panthers' practice squad on Oct. 21 and has played in one game as a practice squad elevation, against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 2.
The Steelers first acquired Moon by claiming him off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens in January 2024. He played in 13 games last season and made one start, recording nine tackles. Most of his playing time came on special teams.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound linebacker is a native of Hoover, Alabama. He first joined the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2022.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jeremiah Moon tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris during a game on Jan. 6, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Moon played with the Ravens in the preseason in 2022, but was released and added to practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season without being elevated for a game. He was signed to a future contract for 2023, and again played in the preseason, was released and added to the practice squad.
In total, he played in eight games with Baltimore and recorded 12 tackles, one for a loss and forced two fumbles while serving as a depth option.
Before his time in the NFL, Moon spent six years with the Gators. After redshirting due to injury in 2016, he was a part-time starter in 2017 and 2018. Moved to defensive line in 2019, starting eight games before another season-ending injury. He played only four games in a COVID-19-shortened 2020 before returning to linebacker in 2021. That was his best season statistically, as he racked up 49 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two sacks a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Moon tested off the charts in the pre-draft process. He posted elite vertical (40.5 inches) and broad jumps (11-foot-1) and a more than fast enough 4.76-second 40-yard dash. Overall, he had a 9.31 Relative Athletic Score.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Re-Stock OLB Depth after Herbig, Watt Injuries
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