The Steelers have placed veteran nose tackle Chris Hoke(neck)*and running backJonathan Dwyer (foot) *on their Reserve/Injured List, the team announced prior to Thursday night's game versus Cleveland.
Hoke, an 11-year veteran from Brigham Young University, has been a solid backup on the defensive line since he joined the team as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2001. Hoke has played in 114 games with 18 starts, recording 80 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery. The Steelers are 17-1 all-time in the regular season when Hoke started at nose tackle.
Dwyer, a second-year player from Georgia Tech, had 123 rushing yards this season, including his first career 100-yard game. Dwyer's 76-yard run during his 107-yard outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 6) was the seventh-longest run in team history. Dwyer was also doing well on special teams, recording two special teams tackles.
Taking the place of Hoke and Dwyer on the 53-man roster will be linebacker Mortty Ivyand safety Damon Cromartie-Smith.
Ivy, a first-year player from West Virginia and Gateway High, has been on and off the Steelers' practice squad and active roster this season. He saw action in the New England and Baltimore games on special teams.
Cromartie-Smith, a first-year player from UTEP, spent the entire 2010 season on the Steelers' practice squad. He was released for two weeks earlier on this season before being re-signed to the practice squad.
Ivy will wear No. 57 and Cromartie-Smith will wear No. 42.
