Another day, another injury problem for the Steelers. While this one involves a more serious outcome than Wednesday’s news of “minor” knee surgery for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, it involves a player of significantly lower profile.
The Steelers have announced that cornerback Justin King has been placed on injured reserve. His roster spot has been filled by undrafted rookie cornerback Nigel Malone, who played college football at Kansas State.
Malone previously was signed by the Colts, who later released him.
King, a Pittsburgh native who played at Penn State before becoming a fourth-round pick of the Rams in 2008, signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in January. Because he’s a vested veteran, King can be sent straight to IR without first passing through waivers.
The move means the cap-strapped Steelers will carry up to $715,000 on the books for 2013. If King had stayed healthy and been cut before Week One, his salary and cap charge would have been avoided.
