The Steelers activated linebacker Jeremiah Moon from the Reserve/Injured List to the 53-man roster today and elevated wide receiver Brandon Johnson and running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium. Ward will revert back to the practice squad after the game.
Moon returned to practice on Oct. 2 and the Steelers had a 21-day window to either activate him to the 53-man roster, or he had to remain on the Reserve/Injured List the remainder of the year.
Moon was placed on the Reserve/Injured (Designated for Return) List before the start of the regular season.
"It's been a long road dealing with a few injuries," said Moon. "I'm definitely grateful and working my tail off to get back, so today is the day.
"I've been doing everything, working with the trainers, eating right, staying engaged. It's been a while. I'm just grateful that my body is now recovered and everything.
"I'm ready to get back."
The Steelers claimed Moon off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2023 season. Moon originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft.
Moon spent his rookie season on the Ravens practice squad. In 2023, he spent time on the active roster and the practice squad, seeing playing time in eight games, with one start. He finished the 2023 season with 10 tackles, four of them solo stops, and a tackle for a loss. He added two special teams tackles and a forced fumble.
Now he wants to get on the field and show what he adds to the defense.
"I can bring a variety of things," said Moon. "I feel like I can set the edge, rush the passer, drop in coverage, and be on (specials) teams.
"Whatever the team needs me to do, that's what I'm here for."
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 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 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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