David

DeCastro

The Steelers had to make the difficult decision to move on from RG David DeCastro today, who has been dealing with an injury and may ultimately retire. DeCastro leaves only a single returning starter on the Steelers’ line. Turner visited the Steelers last week as well, so given their need at guard, he could sign soon. Turner was released by the Chargers after struggling through injuries last year, but if healthy, his signing could help buoy what is looking like a dangerously weak starting unit.

The move was a complete shock until NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo added that DeCastro has been dealing with an ankle issue for “quite some time” and is considering retirement. Pittsburgh saves $8.8 million by releasing DeCastro but it’s clear that this was never their plan. He was released with a non-football injury designation, likely indicating that something is wrong with his ankle. DeCastro was one of just two starting linemen set to return from the 2020 season for Pittsburgh. The other, Chuks Okorafor, is expected to be transitioning from left to right tackle this offseason. The amount of turnover this unit is going through is staggering and doesn’t bode well for their prospects in the upcoming season. DeCastro has been to six consecutive Pro Bowls and has started 124 games for the Steelers in the past nine years. Pittsburgh did little to address their splintering offensive line in free agency and the draft, leaving them with a group of bigs that will likely be bullied by most defensives. Add in Ben Roethlisberger’s declining arm and the Steelers’ offense is now leaning over the edge of a bottomless cliff.

DeCastro sat out Sunday’s beatdown of the Browns after going down in Week 5. The linchpin of the Steelers’ line also missed time earlier this season with a knee issue.

Kevin Dotson is currently in for DeCastro and will play the rest of the game at right guard. Dotson got the start in Week 2 with DeCastro out and also saw a few snaps in Week 1. Pittsburgh may look to continue working their quick passes with DeCastro out of the game for now.

The former All-Pro missed roughly a month of action. Stefen Wisniewski and Kevin Dotson were a trouble spot in DeCastro’s absence. Headed into his age-30 campaign, DeCastro remains one of the Steelers’ best overall players.

DeCastro is out, as expected. Stefan Wisniewski (pectoral) and RT Zach Banner (torn ACL) are also out, pushing Chuks Okorafor and rookie Kevin Dotson into Pittsburgh’s starting lineup. We’ll see if Pittsburgh’s rash of offensive line injuries will affect protection for Ben Roethlisberger today.

Stefan Wisniewski (pectoral) and RT Zach Banner (torn ACL) are also out, pushing Chuks Okorafor and rookie Kevin Dotson into Pittsburgh’s starting lineup. James Conner (ankle) and JuJu Smith-Schuster were cleared from the team’s injury report. It’s possible Conner walks right back into a bell-cow role following Monday’s injury but it’s tough to predict with Benny Snell exploding off the bench. Both runners are expected to face clogged lanes against Denver given the Steelers’ absences up front.

With Anthony McFarland having to wait to make his debut, the Steelers will move forward with James Conner, Benny Snell, and Jaylen Samuels as the team’s only active backs. Stefan Wisniewski will start at right guard for DeCastro.

The exact nature of DeCastro’s injury remains unclear after he missed most of camp. Coach Mike Tomlin did hint recently that DeCastro would be on the field sooner rather than later, however, but it apparently won’t be Monday night. The Steelers don’t have to release an official practice report until Thursday, so it could be until then before we know what’s ailing the guard. Veteran Stefen Wisniewski is expected to slide into his spot between C Maurkice Pouncey and RT Zach Banner.

B.J. Finney and Matt Feiler will fill in on the right side of Pittsburgh’s offensive line. With Hunter inactive for the second consecutive week, rookie WR James Washington is again expected to play an integral role behind Antonio Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster. CB Coty Sensabaugh will also reportedly start over Artie Burns Monday for performance-based reasons.