LaMarr Woodley Placed on IR, Jamaal Westerman Signed
Mandatory Credit: Vincent Pugliese-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers placed outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley on the team’s Reserve/Injured List according to a post on the team’s website.
The highest-paid defensive player in the franchise’s 81-year history has been a shell of his once productive self since he inked a deal worth $61.5 million back in 2011.
Woodley’s issues with his calves, hamstring and weight have rendered him more or less ineffective during the 34 regular season games since he signed his mega-deal. Worst of all, the veteran only racked up 18.0 sacks, 115 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during that span.
Woodley’s rapid decline does not shock this co-editor, especially since I saw Woodley’s mega-deal for the salary-cap crippling, moronic move that it was three years ago.
Personally, I hope the Steelers cut ties with Woodley during the upcoming offseason. And yes, I realize how much dead money the team will absorb. The younger and more effective Jason Worilds is a better long-term option for the franchise at the left outside linebacker position at the moment, and the front office cannot afford to let the oft-injured Woodley stay as they try to rebuild.
To take Woodley’s place on their 53-man roster, Pittsburgh’s brass inked free agent Jamaal Westerman. The fifth-year veteran has been a journeyman for most of his professional career which has included stops with the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills. Westerman’s best season came in 2011 when he started three games and recorded 3.5 sacks and 20 tackles for the Jets.
The former UDFA from Rutgers was released by the Bills last week, and he should hopefully provide enough depth for the Steelers at outside linebacker during their last two regular season games.
Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac and Pro Football Reference
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