Steelers Sign Familiar DT to Bolster Defensive Line After Injury Shakeup

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a key roster move this weekend to address growing concerns on the defensive line. After placing DL Dean Lowry on the Reserve/Injured List due to a knee injury suffered in practice, the team signed DT Breiden Fehoko to help stabilize the position group.

Fehoko, who previously spent two offseasons with Pittsburgh, returns to a locker room where he already has built-in chemistry. Injuries have hit the Steelers’ defensive front hard, with DL Jacob Slade waived/injured and DL Esezi Otomewo still sidelined. The addition of Fehoko brings not only depth but experience and familiarity with the system.

A leaner, more conditioned Fehoko announced his return on social media, ready to rejoin the team at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., for Training Camp. Despite being waived last season due to injury, the veteran DT never lost faith. “Some decisions just feel right,” Fehoko said. “Coming back to Pittsburgh was one of them. This is the kind of locker room where you grow, not just as a player but as a person.”

“Some decisions just make sense. Coming back to Pittsburgh isn’t just about football — it’s about being part of something that builds men, not just players. This was the right move, at the right time, with the right team,” Fehoko said.

Between 2020–2022, Fehoko played 19 games with the Los Angeles Chargers, recording 36 tackles. He praised his relationship with Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar, calling it a key reason for returning. “In the film room, it was always a back-and-forth—how we see plays, how we adapt. That kind of connection makes a difference,” Fehoko told Alex Kozora.

Lowry, who signed with the Steelers last offseason after stints with the Packers and Vikings, is expected to miss the entire 2025 season. His absence leaves a noticeable gap, but Pittsburgh is hopeful Fehoko can provide veteran leadership and rotational impact.

The Steelers hit the field again this afternoon, and for Fehoko, it marks the first official practice back in the black and gold—a familiar home where the work never stops.