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Commanders Sign Ex-Steelers Defensive Lineman
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- Commanders Sign Ex-Steelers Defensive Lineman
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale at practice on Oct. 23, 2025. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
A former defensive lineman of the Pittsburgh Steelers has earned another opportunity in the NFL.
The Washington Commanders have signed former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale to their practice squad, according to multiple reports.
The #Commanders have signed former #Steelers DT Daniel Ekuale to their practice squad, as he makes his return from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/4gBW2KYbbc
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) November 4, 2026
Ekuale, 32, had a tryout with the Commanders last month, as he continued to seek a comeback from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season.
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He spent the 2025 season with the Steelers and had six tackles (four solo) and one pass defensed. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Ekuale's 2025 season was already over, but he was then suspended for five games by the NFL for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale runs through a drill during training camp in August. Ed Thompson/Steelers Now
Ekuale began his professional career as an undrafted free agent out of the 2018 NFL Draft. He caught on with the Cleveland Browns, who he spent the first two years of his NFL career with, before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars (2020) and New England Patriots (2021-24).
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He became a starter for the first time in 2024 with the Patriots before catching on with the Steelers, where he accepted a role as the team's backup nose tackle and No. 4 rotational defensive tackle.
After his injury, he was replaced by rookies Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black.
A native of Pago Pago, American Samoa, Ekuale played his collegiate ball at Washington State, where he racked up 71 tackles (41 solo), three sacks and two forced fumbles from 2014-17 after redshirting his true freshman season.
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