Steelers Promote DE Brian Arnfelt, ILB Kion Wilson Released

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

According to Bob Labriola’s tweet below, the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted defensive end Brian Arnfelt from their practice squad and released inside linebacker Kion Wilson earlier today:

Already thin along their defensive line, it makes sense that the Steelers promoted Arnfelt (6’4″ 298 lbs.) for insurance purposes. The 2013 UDFA enjoyed a solid preseason for the Steelers (eight tackles), and he illustrated enough promise to his coaching staff that he was inked to the team’s practice squad at the conclusion of preseason play.

Although the former Northwestern Wildcat will probably only see special teams duty during his first regular season stint with the team, I for one am intrigued to see how much him and rookie Nick Williams will be able to develop by the time the 2014 campaign begins. With Ziggy Hood hobbled and Steve McLendon unlikely to play tomorrow, either Arnfelt or Hebron Fangupo could be on the active roster for the Steelers during their game against the Bengals.

As far as Wilson is concerned, the move itself does not come as a shock either. Vince Williams, Stevenson Sylvester and Terence Garvin have jumped ahead of him on the depth chart at the inside linebacker spots over the course of this season. Moreover, the need for depth at defensive end is of much greater importance to Pittsburgh at this point in the season.

Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac and Pro Football Reference

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