9/21/21 | Steelers add OLB Taco Charlton to practice squad after elevating DE Henry Mondeaux
The Steelers made the cautious effort to add more pass rushers on Taco Tuesday. After placing NT Tyson Alualu on IR while then elevating DE Henry Mondeaux to the 53-man roster, that left one practice squad spot open.
They used that 16th spot to sign OLB Taco Charlton. Who is Charlton? I got you covered Steeler Nation ;)
Getting to know OLB Taco Charlton
First name: Vidauntae
2017 1st-round pick (No. 28)
Waived by DAL in 2019 | citing lack of development
Claimed by MIA in 2019 | team-high 5 sacks & T-1st with 2 FF
Waived by MIA in 2020
Signed by KC in 2020 | situational pass-rusher
Released by KC in 2021
44 career games with 11.0 sacks
Raiders DC Rod Marinelli
It’s interesting to point out why Charlton was chosen over some other UFAs. Could Raiders DLC Rod Marinelli have played a role? When peeling back layers of the onion to get to the core, Marinelli was Charlton’s DC while in Dallas.
Furthermore, the Steelers just faced the Raiders and we all know the admiration and respect both Coach T and Marinelli have for each other. Did Coach T ask Coach Marinelli for his thoughts on the Michigan product after the game? I wouldn’t doubt it.
Not to mention, the Steelers held a pre-draft visit with Charlton back in 2017.
The addition of Charlton means the Steelers now have 3 OLBs on the team’s 16-player practice squad. See the updated breakdown of Steelers players on IR and practice squad:
Injured Reserve (IR):
QB Joshua Dobbs
RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (undisclosed)
OT Zach Banner (ACL)
NT Tyson Alualu (fractured ankle)
DE Demarcus Christmas
DE Stephon Tuitt (mental health/overweight/knee injury)
Practice squad
16 player limit with one International player exemption
Players re-signed after being "released" by the team: RB Trey Edmunds, RB Jaylen Samuels, TE Kevin Radar
Claimed off waiver wire: None
Players signed after being "waived" by team: WR Rico Bussey, WR Cody White, OT Chaz Green, OT/OG John Leglue, CB Mark Gilbert, S Donovan Stiner
Players signed: WR Steven Sims, WR Tyler Vaughns, OG Malcolm Pridgeon, DE Daniel Archibong, OLB Taco Charlton, OLB Derrek Tuszka, OLB Delontae Scott, SS Karl Joseph