Tag: Tyler Matakevich

Steelers place special teams ace on IR

Pittsburgh placed LB Tyler Matakevich on IR with a hamstring injury.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced a handful of roster moves. The Steelers signed defensive backs James Pierre and D’Shawn Johnson to the practice squad. In the process, the team also terminated the contracts of wide receiver Shaquan Davis and cornerback Zyon Gilbert to make room.

The team also placed inside linebacker and special teams ace Tyler Matakevich on IR with a hamstring injury. This means Matakevich will have to miss the next four games. Pittsburgh brought Matakevich back this offseason after he spent the last four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.

Matakevich spent 2017-2019 with the Steelers after they selected him in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft out of the University of Temple.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1836141215483335111

With an opening on the 53-man roster, we expect Pierre to be the guy to replace Matakevich on the roster. His experience with the Steelers and skills on special teams make him a valuable asset while Matakevich is on IR.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers bring back familiar face at cornerback

Pittsburgh signed cornerback James Pierre to the practice squad.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers brought back a familiar face at cornerback to the roster. No, the Steelers didn’t re-sign Patrick Peterson if that’s what you were hoping for. Instead, Pittsburgh brought back James Pierre to the Steelers practice squad.

Pittsburgh originally signed Pierre as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Pierre played his college football at Florida Atlantic. Pierre spent is first four seasons with Pittsburgh and started six games but was active for 66 games in four years.

Pierre was primarily a special-teams ace during his time with the Steelers and given the team put linebacker and special teamer on IR on Tuesday, Pierre could be a replacement primarily for coverage teams.

Pittsburgh has opened the season at 2-0 after back-to-back road wins over the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos. This week the Steelers return to Pittsburgh for their home opener. This will be the team’s biggest challenge of the season when the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers come to town.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Bills linebacker Tyler Matakevich signs back with Steelers

Former #Bills linebacker Tyler Matakevich signs back with #Steelers:

The Pittsburgh Steelers took one back from the Buffalo Bills.

Linebacker Tyler Matakevich has inked a one-year deal in Pittsburgh. According to reports, it’s a league-minimum deal for the 31-year-old:

In 2020, Matakevich originally left Pittsburgh to sign in Buffalo as a free agent. He was originally a seventh-round selection of the Steelers at the 2016 NFL draft.

Like during his original stint in Pittsburgh, it’s expected that Matakevich will against contribute there as a special teams ace. During his spell with the Bills, Matakevich held the same role and only played minimal snaps on defense. Matakevich became a free agent following the end of the 2023 season.

Bills Wire will continue to provide all team and roster updates throughout training camp.

[lawrence-related id=137422,137394,137342]

Steelers bring back former Bills LB Tyler Matakevich

The Steelers re-signed special teams ace Tyler Matakevich.

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had signed inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich to a one-year contract. Matakevich returns to the Steelers after spending the last four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.

Matakevich got his start with the Steelers back in 2016 as a seventh-round pick out of Temple. Matakevich only has one career start on defense but is a star on special teams and will give Pittsburgh some extra punch in coverage.

With Matakevich back in the fold, this puts veteran Mark Robinson on the roster bubble. Pittsburgh rebuilt the inside linebacker depth chart this offseason by signing former Baltimore Raven Patrick Queen in free agency and following it up with Payton Wilson in the 2024 NFL draft.

Personally, we love the return of Matakevich. He’s the kind of player the Steelers need on special teams. He brings smarts and physicality along with plenty of significant experience. Welcome back, Dirty Red.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Full list of Bills players who will be free agents this offseason

Who will stay and who will go?

As another season of Buffalo Bills football has come to an end, so have another series of contracts that have been signed.

Whether it be grizzled veterans or players seeing the end of their rookie contracts, there are plenty of faces who will not long be under contract in Buffalo in March when free agency opens.

The Bills have plenty of time until then to sign players to extensions, but it’s never so cut-and-dry. According to Over The Cap, Buffalo is estimated to be $49 million over the 2024 NFL salary cap.

Moves must be made and general manager Brandon Beane will earn his own salary with the decisions ahead.

But what you’re here for: The full list of Bills free agents following the 2023 season is below:

Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Team connections

A few between the two teams:

The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers will play against each other and the highest of stakes will be attached to the game: Win or go home.

The Bills (11-6) and Steelers (10-7) will do battle during the upcoming NFL Wild-Card round. However, the game will have a little bit more meaning attached to it for a few players in particular.

That’s because multiple players or coaches for both sides are going to be playing against their former teams. That can create a little bit of extra motivation for them heading into Sunday… as expected.

With that, here’s a quick list of connections the two teams have with one another ahead of the upcoming matchup at Highmark Stadium:

Why Bills’ Dawson Knox, Tyler Matakevich did not play vs. Steelers

Why #Bills’ Dawson Knox, Tyler Matakevich did not play vs. #Steelers:

The Buffalo Bills were without two surprise players against the Pittsburgh Steelers: Tight end Dawson Knox and linebacker Tyler Matakevich.

It sounds as if the Bills were just simply playing the precautionary card with both.

The team announced the Knox sat out due to a finger injury. However, he is only considered day-to-day.

In terms of Matakevich, he was only activated from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list this past week. He came to training camp with a calf injury which is likely the reason why he sat out.

In addition, ESPN provided extra context: Both were spotted taking part in pregame warmups. That indicates a good sign that both are not dealing with long-term issues.

Knox is set to feature in a tight-end duo with first-round rookie Dalton Kincaid in 2023. It’s expected that Matakevich will continue as Buffalo’s top special teamer. He has played in the most special teams snaps for the Bills over the past three seasons, respectively.

In addition to Buffalo missing those two, other notable names that did not play include running back Damien Harris (knee) and linebacker Terrel Bernard (hamstring). Both have been dealing with their respective injuries since last week.

Bills Wire will continue to provide injury updates throughout the 2023 season.

[lawrence-related id=121047,121006,121002]

Bills activate LB Tyler Matakevich from PUP list

#Bills activate LB Tyler Matakevich from PUP list:

The Buffalo Bills have their top special teamer back in the fold.

The team announced on Tuesday that linebacker Tyler Matakevich has been activated from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

Matakevich had been on the designation since the start of training camp due to a calf injury.

This offseason, the 30-year-old re-signed in Buffalo via a one-year deal. Matakevich originally joined the Bills as a free agent in 2020.

While a linebacker, special teams is where Matakevich makes his living. His 78.78 percent of special teams snaps on Buffalo’s unit in 2022 led the team.

Matakevich has led the Bills in special teams snaps every season he’s been in Buffalo.

With Matakevich coming off the injury designation, Von Miller (kne) is the lone player left on the Bills’ PUP list.

[lawrence-related id=120878,120871,120867]

Bills place three players on PUP list at start of training camp

#Bills place three players on PUP list at start of training camp:

The Buffalo Bills added three players to the team’s active/PUP list at the start of 2023 training camp.

Pass rusher Von Miller, special teamer Tyler Matakevich and defensive lineman Jordan Phillips were all placed on the injury designation.

Miller and Phillips had injuries that were known. Miller is still recovering from his 2022 ACL injury while Phillips continues to battle a shoulder issue. Phillips had surgery on his shoulder following the end of the 2022 season.

Matakevich’s update is new and said to be a calf injury.

When a player is placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp, he counts against the team’s 90-man roster and can participate in meetings but is not allowed to practice. They can be removed at any time from the designation.

In addition to the PUP (physically unable to perform) updates, the Bills confirmed others transactions that were known or anticipated to happen.

The team placed running back Nyheim Hines on the Reserve/NFI (non-football injury) list after his season came to an end just prior to training camp due to a knee injury.

The Bills also confirmed the signings of running back Darrynton Evans and tight end Jace Sternberger. The pair both signed one-year deals.

Follow Bills Wire throughout training camp for the latest updates.

[lawrence-related id=119842,119839,119784]