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Former Steelers Edge Rusher Signs with NFC Team
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- Former Steelers Edge Rusher Signs with NFC Team
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Eku Leota at practice on Oct. 10, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The New Orleans Saints are signing outside linebacker Eku Leota to their practice squad after a workout on Monday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network . The former Carolina Panthers undrafted free agent was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
Leota had a strong preseason with the Steelers, recording seven total tackles (five solos) and a forced fumble. The Steelers are loaded at outside linebacker with T.J. Watt , Alex Highsmith , Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer , however, so Leota was released during the final cuts.
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It was a surprise that Leota wasn't one of the 17 players signed to the Steelers' practice squad, though. He'll now get a chance to showcase his talents in New Orleans .
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Eku Leota during practice on Oct. 10, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Leota, 25, is in his third professional season. He first joined the Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn last spring. Leota played in eight games with the Panthers in 2023 and two more this season, including one start, but he was released by Carolina on Sept. 24.
In 10 NFL games, he has played 133 snaps of defense and 113 on special teams. He has also played in all six special teams phases for the Panthers.
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Leota suffered a pectoral injury that cost him most of his senior season at Auburn in 2022 and also prevented him from participating in most of the pre-draft testing process. His best collegiate season statistically came in 2021, when he recorded 23 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Before joining Auburn, Leota played three seasons at Northwestern, where he was an All-Big Ten selection in 2020. Leota was born in Western Samoa and grew up in Asheville, North Carolina.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Former Steelers Edge Rusher Signs with NFC Team
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