Elandon

Roberts

The Steelers’ Tuesday practice report was just an estimation, but Fitzpatrick was notably listed as a non-participant. He has been out since Week 15 with a knee issue that he continues to deal with. Fitzpatrick has a few days to return to practice for a Week 18 matchup against the Ravens. The only other Steeler listed as a non-participant was LB Elandon Roberts (pectoral).

Fitzpatrick exited Week 15 with a knee injury and missed Week 16 against the Bengals with the issue. He starts out the week with a DNP listing and his absence would be a tough blow in a critical Week 17 matchup against the Seahawks. LB Elandon Roberts (pectoral) also did not participate in practice, leaving the Steelers defense thin over the middle of the field.

Roberts posted career-highs in tackles (107) and sacks (4.5) last season with the Dolphins, steadily improving in each of his last three seasons with the team. The former sixth-round draft pick becomes the latest defensive signing for the Steelers, who have heavily prioritized that side of the ball since the legal tampering period opened on Monday. Roberts will likely pair alongside former Commanders linebacker Cole Holcomb, who the Steelers recently inked to a three-year deal.

Roberts, 28 next month, started 15-of-17 games he appeared in last season, playing a career-high 621 defensive snaps (55%), recording 83 tackles and one sack. He also pitches in on special teams.

Roberts is working his way back from a knee injury after he ended 2020 on IR. The Dolphins re-signed him in March, suggesting they don’t have any long-term concerns. Roberts, who finished fifth on Miami in tackles last year despite missing three games, has just over a month to get cleared for training camp.

The Dolphins signed Roberts away from New England a year after HC Brian Flores left for Miami. He’s one of many veterans that Flores managed to pull away from the Patriots. Roberts ended 2020 on IR with a knee injury but still managed to rack up 61 tackles across 13 games. That was good for fifth on the team. Roberts is a talented run-stopper and will re-join a talented Miami defense in 2021.

He is headed to injured reserve, which would make him ineligible to return before the AFC Championship Game. Losing Roberts is a downgrade to Miami’s run defense. The Dolphins will turn to Sam Eguavoen and Kamu Grugier-Hill to replace Roberts.

Roberts was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game. With Miami ruling him out almost immediately after getting carted, it doesn’t look good for Roberts. On the year, Roberts has 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble to go along with his 60 tackles. He is third on Miami in tackles this year. His loss could open up some room for opponents to run in the middle of the field.

Miami’s pillage of New England’s castoffs continue as Roberts joins Kyle Van Noy, Ted Karras, and Kamu Grugier-Hill among the team’s recent additions from the northeast. Though listed as a linebacker, Roberts was most recently dispersed as a fullback following season-ending injuries to both James Develin and Jakob Johnson. Roberts also caught a touchdown from Tom Brady in the team’s season finale against Miami last year.

Roberts was the 214th pick in this year’s draft. He’s undersized at 6'/235, but those around the team have noted how ferocious he is as a downhill player. Starting MLB Dont’a Hightower called Roberts a “missile, torpedo, and hammer” in a recent interview, and Roberts’ play is thought to be one of the main reasons Collins was dealt to Cleveland. He’ll now see a big uptick in snaps.