Whereas some aren’t certain it’s an space of energy but, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a number of additions to their defensive position this offseason, primarily by means of the draft. Consequently, it’s going to create some roster battles for some gamers on the bubble. In keeping with Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo, one participant who’s in danger is DeMarvin Leal.
“I hate to do it to this man, as a result of he’s a third-round choose, nevertheless it’s a make-or-break camp for DeMarvin Leal,” Fittipaldo mentioned on the Chipped Ham and Soccer podcast on Tuesday. “Let’s face it. He’s coming off a season the place he injured his neck. He spent it on injured reserve your complete season. He’s only a man who’s had a tough time discovering a task on this soccer crew… He’s form of been preventing that tweener standing, and clearly the damage final 12 months.”
It’s been one thing of an unfair begin to DeMarvin Leal’s profession. Leal had some alternatives in the course of the first two seasons of his profession. He performed in a mixed 23 video games in 2022 and 2023. Then, in Pittsburgh’s Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys final 12 months, Leal suffered a neck damage that stored him out for the remainder of the season.
That damage most likely couldn’t have come at a worse time. As a third-round choose, Leal was coming off an unimpressive first two years of his profession. He had only one profession sack, two pressures, and three tackles for a loss throughout that span. Leal additionally struggled with tackling in his rookie 12 months, posting a missed sort out charge of 17.6-percent.
Consequently, he wasn’t seeing the sphere a lot earlier than his damage in 2024. Even at a place group missing depth, DeMarvin Leal was on the sphere for simply 51 snaps throughout these 5 video games.
The additions Pittsburgh made this offseason make Leal’s future in Pittsburgh extra difficult. The Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer, and Yahya Black and picked up Daniel Ekuale in free company. Leal has to combat them, plus gamers like Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, and Dean Lowry, for a roster spot.
That mentioned, there could also be a saving grace for Leal. As a third-round choose, he was drafted comparatively excessive. The Steelers would possibly goal to maintain him over a few of these aforementioned names, despite the fact that he’s coming into his fourth 12 months. His neck damage may give him some endurance with the teaching employees. Whereas all of us need to see Leal make progress recovering from that damage, Fittipaldo presents the unlucky actuality he’s at present in.
