Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced several roster changes ahead of their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The team has promoted linebacker Ade Ogundeji from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Meanwhile, defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal has been placed on the Reserve/Injured List. Additionally, linebacker Eku Leota and running back Jonathan Ward have been elevated from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for this week's game.

Ogundeji, originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, made an impact during his rookie season by appearing in 16 games and starting 11 of them. He concluded that season with 33 tackles, a sack, a pass defense, and a fumble recovery. In 2022, he started 16 games and recorded 42 tackles along with one sack but missed the entire 2023 season due to a foot injury.

"I played and started two years, so I know what I'm doing," Ogundeji stated. "I'm just trying to go out there and do my job. They expect me to go out there and do my job, just like the guy above me."

Reflecting on his time away from play due to injury last year, Ogundeji shared his perspective: "When you're not playing, there's a different perspective you have when you're watching other people play," he said. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Leota joined the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He began that season on their practice squad before moving up to the active roster mid-season. Last year he appeared in eight games primarily contributing on special teams.

Leota had his first start this season in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers where he managed to record a sack. His college career included stints at Auburn University and Northwestern University where he played in a total of 36 games.

Running back Jonathan Ward was also elevated for Week 5's game against Dallas Cowboys after participating in Steelers' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis earlier this year. Over four seasons within NFL circuits including Arizona Cardinals (his original signing post-2020 draft), Tennessee Titans (2022-23), Ward has played across multiple games demonstrating both rushing prowess & receiving skills through various statistics accumulated over these years.

For those keen not miss any action-packed moments involving Pittsburgh Steelers or other teams alike during regular season matches available live via mobile devices among others – subscribing onto NFL+ service allows fans access extensive coverage ranging live audio feeds alongside video streams featuring select matchups each week throughout football calendar ahead!