The Steelers promoted linebacker Ade Ogundeji to the Active Roster from the practice squad and elevated receiver Brandon Johnson and running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium. Johnson and Ward will revert back to the practice squad after the game.
Ogundeji was originally signed to the practice squad at the start of the regular season. He was promoted to the 53-man roster ahead of the Raiders game. Ogundeji played 16 snaps against the Raiders and finished with a pass defense. He was signed back to the practice squad after the Raiders game.
Ogundeji was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. His rookie season he appeared in 16 games, starting 11 of them. He finished that season with 33 tackles, a sack, a pass defense and a fumble recovery.
In 2022 he started 16 games, finishing with 42 tackles and one sack. He missed the 2023 season with a foot injury.
Johnson originally signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent time on the practice squad and active roster over the last two seasons. Johnson was also elevated for the Week 5 game against the Cowboys.
Johnson has played in 20 games, starting three, and has 25 receptions for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He played in 13 games in 2023, pulling in 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns.
Johnson played college football at the University of Central Florida.
Ward was also elevated for the Week 5 game against the Dallas Cowboys and Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ward took part in the Steelers rookie minicamp on a tryout basis and was signed following it.
In four seasons in the NFL, he has played in 43 games, carrying the ball 17 times for 69 yards, a 4.1-yard average. He also has six receptions for 52 yards, an 8.7-yard average, and one touchdown.
Ward originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent two plus seasons with the Cardinals, before joining the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 season. He also spent the 2023 season with the Titans.
Ward played college football at Central Michigan where he played in 42 games, carrying the ball 473 times for 2,539 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also had 98 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns.
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