Montravius

Adams Sr.

Highsmith’s long-awaited return is here. The talented front-seven defender should make an immediate impact, both as a pass rusher and as a run defender. The team will have to wait for another week to get DT Montravius Adams Sr. (knee) back from injured reserve but he promisingly practiced in full on Thursday and Friday this week.

His 21-day window will open and he was spotted practicing on Wednesday. Adams will be a part of the DL rotation for the Steelers this week assuming there are no setbacks on Thursday or Friday.

He left Week 7’s game against the Jets with the knee injury and did not return. Adams had played in all seven Steelers games this year, notching one sack and five solo tackles in the interior. He’ll miss at least the next four games.

Adams just finished up a two-year deal he signed during 2022 free agency and the Steelers have decided they would like another with the soon-to-be 29-year-old. Strictly a rotational early-down lineman, Adams hasn’t registered a sack since 2018.

Adams signed with the Patriots last offseason but was cut before the years started. He then signed with New Orleans and played five games for them before being released. Pittsburgh signed him off their practice squad to close the year. Adams gives the Steelers a depth option on the defensive line but is unlikely to start in 2022.

Johnson, a 16 game starter for the Vikings last year, wasn’t needed after Minnesota added Dalvin Tomlinson and Sheldon Richardson this offseason. He signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with Houston before getting released at final cuts. With DT David Onyemata suspended six games, the 27-year-old will serve as depth for the Saints, who also signed DT Montravius Adams.

The Packers’ No. 93 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft joins a raft of players entering New England during the team’s nonstop free agency signing binge. Adams played in eight games for Green Bay in 2020, recording 11 tackles and zero sacks. He’ll likely be a rotational player for the Patriots in 2021.

Adams was arrested on three misdemeanor counts including possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, driving without insurance, and having a suspended/canceled/revoked vehicle registration. According to the Georgia police report, Adams was pulled over for driving on an expired registration but was discovered with less than an ounce of marijuana in his possession upon having his vehicle searched with probable cause. The team has yet to release a statement.

It’s a formality as Turay was already ruled out for the season with a broken ankle he suffered in Week 5. Former Browns and Ravens DT Carl Davis was signed in the corresponding roster move.

Adams (6’4/304) made 36 starts on the Tigers’ defensive line, registering 21 career tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He earned first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America as a senior. Adams mainly played nose tackle in college, but dabbled at defensive end and offers scheme versatility. Adams’ down-to-down consistency improved as a senior, and scouts at January’s Senior Bowl described his performance as “dominant” in Mobile. While he should push for early-down run-stopping snaps as a rookie, Adams’ pass-rush upside is limited. At his ceiling, Adams likely projects as a 3-5 sack-per-season player in the pros.