Steelers Reunite With Super Bowl Champion as Injuries Test Depth

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is looking to clean up his own house this week after Thursday night's 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers have made changes to their roster makeup early this week as injuries test the team's depth.

Following the trade of Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday night, the Steelers defense let Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson successfully lead a last-minute drive down the field for a game-winning field goal. 

The Steelers are expected to be without cornerback Jamel Dean for a couple of weeks due to an ankle injury. Pittsburgh is considering putting defensive tackle Derrick Harmon on injured reserve for a foot injury he sustained in the "Thursday Night Football" loss to Cleveland in Week 4.

On Monday, the Steelers poached Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting from the practice squad, placing the Super Bowl-winning player on the 53-man roster before Pittsburgh hosts the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. 

On Tuesday, the Steelers added another player with Super Bowl-winning experience. Per Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the Steelers are set to sign defensive end KJ Henry to the practice squad. He suffered an injury during his training camp stint with the San Francisco 49ers this summer, but showed promise this summer and could help the Steelers.

Henry was a 2023 fifth-round pick by the Washington Commanders. He played for Clemson from 2018 to 2022, winning the 2018 national championship and earning second-team All-ACC honors in 2022. He won Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles as a member of their practice squad.

Henry has had stops with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and Browns. He's had two stints with the Steelers, including when he signed a reserve/futures contract on Jan. 14. He was waived by Pittsburgh on June 26.

Henry was a force in college for Clemson, recording 124 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and 13 sacks.

During his five seasons in the NFL, Henry has appeared in 15 games and started in three games. He's recorded 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, two passes defensed, and 2.5 sacks.

Steelers have a chance to get turned around

This week, Pittsburgh will be all about trying to get back on track after an inconsistent start through the first month. The Steelers will next play a Colts team that should have jet lag after beating the Commanders in London on Sunday.

Then the Steelers will play a currently winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers team on Oct. 18 before traveling to play the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 25. There's a path for the Steelers to pick up some wins here.