Two days before their preseason opener, the Pittsburgh Steelers swapped inside linebackers in signing rookie Easton Gibbs on Wednesday.
Gibbs (6-foot, 230 pounds) went undrafted out of Wyoming but was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent. The Seahawks, though, placed him on the on the non-football injury list at the outset of their training camp and subsequently released him last week.
As a senior last year, Gibbs had 109 tackles (47 solo, four for loss), an interception and two forced fumbles. He had seven sacks over his final three college seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Gibbs was among the nation’s best college off-ball linebackers in tackling and in coverage.
In the corresponding move, the Steelers waived/injured linebacker Tyler Murray. Murray suffered a groin injury during Tuesday’s practice.
Coach Mike Tomlin announced that starter Patrick Queen will not play Friday’s preseason home game against the Houston Texans. With Cole Holcomb also on the physically unable to perform list and nine-year veteran Elandon Roberts not expected to play much, the Steelers are down to rookie Payton Wilson, veteran special-teamer Tyler Matakevich, third-year Mark Robinson and undrafted rookie Jacoby Windmon at inside linebacker in addition to Gibbs. That portends that Gibbs could play in a game just 48 hours after joining the team.
