[Pittsburgh Steelers](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/) defensive tackle [Daniel Ekuale](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2025/10/pittsburgh-steelers-lose-massive-samoan-defensive-tackle-for-season-with-torn-acl.html) has been suspended for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) policy, the NFL announced. Ekuale was suspended for five games, but is out for the season with a torn ACL suffered against the Green Bay Packers.
Ekuale can appeal the suspension. That suspension will be served while he is on injured reserve, but will cost Ekuale $325,000.
After playing seven games for the Steelers, Ekuale posted six tackles and two tackles for loss. His contract with the Steelers will expire in March and he will become a free agent.
Without him, it has signaled more Esezi Otomewo into the game when the Steelers rotate their defensive line. The Steelers have upped the snap counts for rookie Yahya Black as well.
Ekuale came from the New England Patriots and signed a one-year deal with the Steelers this offseason to become a key part of their defensive line rotation. Ekuale, 31, had 52 tackles and just one sack. He had 16 pressures while adding 26 run stops.
Ekuale is coming off the most productive season of his career. The Samoan-born product played his college ball at Washington State and spent his first three seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars.