Moats announced his retirement Monday, via his personal Twitter.
Moats played nine seasons in the league for the Bills and Steelers, totaling 202 tackles (115 solo), 16.5 sacks and four forced fumbles across 121 games. He was also the Steelers' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2016 for his work in the community.
The Cardinals released Moats (knee) off injured reserve with an injury settlement Tuesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Moats was placed on injured reserve with a sprained MCL in early September. The 30-year-old veteran has 228 tackles and 16.5 sacks in his career, and teams may have interest in him as a depth piece if his knee is fully recovered.
Moats (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
With the timetable for Moats' injury expected to be just two to four weeks, Moats landing on injured reserve essentially means he won't be seeing any snaps for the Cardinals this season. He could ultimately be released from injured reserve and become a free agent.
Moats has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Moats is considerably buried on the depth chart so there's the possibility that Arizona will place the veteran pass rusher on injured reserve before the start of the season. Even if the Cardinals opt not to do so, Moats doesn't figure to get much time in 2018.
Moats injured his knee and will not return to Sunday's preseason game against the Cowboys.
The severity of Moats' injury has to be determined, though any sort of extended absence will likely hurt the linebacker's chances of making the 53-man roster in Arizona.
Moats agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Moats appeared in all but two games for the Steelers over the past four seasons, but the linebacker moved into a strict depth role in 2018 after starting 25 games during his first three years in Pittsburgh. He'll likely continue to serve in a similar capacity in Arizona, thus keeping him off the IDP radar.
Moats, who recorded one tackle (solo) in the Week 17 win over the Browns, finished the 2017 season with eight tackles (six solo) in 14 games.
Moats failed to record a sack this season, the first time he has done so since joining the Steelers in 2014, and his eight tackles were his fewest in his eight-year career. An unrestricted free agent, Moats be looking for a new team next season, as the Steelers are deep at the linebacker position.
Moats had one tackle in Pittsburgh's 30-12 wild-card win against Miami on Sunday.
Moats played in all 16 regular season games for the fourth consecutive season, finishing with 21 tackles (nine solo), including 3.5 sacks.
Moats totaled three tackles (one solo), including a sack in Pittsburgh's 24-16 win over Cincinnati Sunday.
The Steelers' defense has held its first two opponents this season to 16 points each, despite recording just one sack and only a plus one turnover differential.
Moats appeared in 57 percent of defensive snaps for the Steelers' during their Week 1 win over the Redskins on Monday.
Despite the high-volume of snaps, Moats was only able to generate a single tackle in the lopsided win. On an encouraging note, however, the chest injury that bothered Moats last season seems to be in the rearview mirror.
Moats (chest) was forced from action before halftime against Denver on Sunday.
Moats collected 35 tackles (24 solo), including four sacks in 2015. He also added two fumble recoveries. After recording only five sacks over four seasons in Buffalo, Moats finally seems to have discovered his pass rushing skills, totaling eight sacks in just two seasons with the Steelers. Although he may not do enough defensively to warrant consideration in IDP leagues, Moats is an integral part of a Pittsburgh defensive unit that held opponents to under 20 points per game, and finished third in the league with 48 sacks.
Moats collected six tackles (all solo), including a sack and a fumble recovery in Pittsburgh's win over Cleveland on Sunday.
Moats sacked Austin Davis in the second quarter for his fourth sack of 2015, matching a single-season career high (2014). He also recovered a fumble forced by Lawrence Timmons in the fourth quarter, his second defensive fumble recovery this season, a new single-season career high, and the fourth of his NFL career.
Free agent outside linebacker Arthur Moats tweeted that he'll re-sign with the Steelers, reports Pro Football Talk. Moats, 26, recorded four sacks, two forced fumbles and 23 tackles while playing in every game last season.
The Steelers announced it's a three-year deal.
Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats is hopeful to remain with the team this offseason after signing a one-year deal with Pittsburgh last year, according to the team's website.
"I love this organization," said Moats. "Even though I was only here for one year, from top to bottom it’s been a great experience."
Moats totaled 23 tackles with four sacks and two forced fumbles in all 16 games last year.
"I would love to get something done sooner rather than later here. I love it here, my family loves it here."
The Steelers unveiled its final injury report for Monday night's game against the Titans in Week 11. Steve McLendon (shoulder), Troy Polamalu (knee), Ryan Shazier (ankle), Ivan Taylor (forearm), Shamarko Thomas (hamstring) were all ruled out by Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Cortez Allen (thumb), Brett Keisel (not injury related), Arthur Moats (not injury related), Ross Ventrone (hamstring) were labeled probable for the game.
The <span data-shortcode="annotation" data-id="426" data-text="Steelers" data-canon="Pittsburgh Steelers" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> reported Brett Keisel, Steve McLendon, Arthur Moats, Troy Polamalu, and Ryan Shazier did not participate in Thursday’s practice, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
<span data-shortcode="annotation" data-id="396097" data-text="Ike Taylor" data-canon="Ike Taylor" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0"> and Shamarko Thomas were limited participants.
The Steelers DST enjoyed itself Sunday night in Carolina, producing three sacks, two turnovers and a touchdown in a 37-19 win.
The biggest play came early in the fourth quarter when the Panthers' Philly Brown fumbled on a punt return and safety Robert Golden recovered in the end zone. It was one of two fumble recoveries for Pittsburgh, which got a sack-fumble from outside linebacker Jarvis Jones.
Linebacker Arthur Moats and nose tackle Steve McLendon also sacked Cam Newton. Pittsburgh allowed just 42 rushing yards in what was easily its top defensive performance this year.
The Steelers DST has a chance to dominate again Week 4 against the lowly Buccaneers.
The Steelers and free agent linebacker Arthur Moats agreed to terms on a one-year deal, reports Pro Football Talk. Moats made 54 tackles for the Bills last year.
In need of an inside linebacker, the Steelers will host free agent Arthur Moats on Monday, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Moats, 26, played in every game for the Bills last season, making 54 tackles.
The Bills placed linebacker Arthur Moats (ankle) on injured reserve Tuesday.