Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts takes down Jets tight end Chase Curtis in the third quarter Aug. 21, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly releasing two defensive veterans as they thin their roster ahead of Sunday’s deadline.
Inside linebacker Elandon Roberts and defensive lineman Dean Lowry won’t make the team’s initial 53-man roster, according to reports from ESPN. The deadline to reduce the roster is 6 p.m.
Roberts, 32, previously played for the Steelers in 2023-24 and rejoined the team as a free agent in training camp. He stirred up practice with his physical style and played 81 snaps in the final two preseason games, making 10 tackles, including two for loss.
Known as a run-stopper, Roberts played last season in Las Vegas for new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The 11th-year pro won two Super Bowls with the Patriots early in his career.
Lowry, 32, missed last season to injury after playing 12 games for the Steelers in 2024. The 6-foot-6, 296-pounder played 40 snaps in the first two preseason games but sat out the finale against the Bills. Dean assisted on one tackle and had a quarterback hurry, according to Pro Football Focus.
He entered the league as a fourth-round draft pick of the Packers and coach Mike McCarthy in 2016. Lowry started 85 of 132 career games over 10 seasons.