94 Tyson Alualu DE

Alualu signed a two-year contract with the Steelers after backing out of his verbal agreement with the Jaguars on Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Alualu agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million contract with the Jaguars earlier in March, but before putting pen to paper, the veteran defensive tackle contracted COVID-19, delaying his official signing. Over those 10 days, Alualu had a change of heart, and he'll stay for two more years in Pittsburgh. Alualu should start at nose tackle in 2021 after posting 38 tackles, five pass breakups and two sacks over 15 games last year.

Alualu agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with the Jaguars on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Alualu moves back to the Jaguars team that drafted him in the first round back in 2010. He spent the past four seasons with the Steelers after opening his career with six years in Jacksonville. The defensive lineman had 38 tackles and two sacks last year in Pittsburgh.

Alualu (knee) won't carry an injury tag into Sunday's game versus the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Alualu should return to his starting nose tackle role after upgrading to full participation during Friday's practice. The veteran has recorded 16 tackles (nine solo), a sack and three pass breakups through seven games.

Alualu (knee) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Alualu is nursing a sprained MCL that's expected to cost him a game or two, so his being ruled out for Week 9 doesn't come as much of a surprise. Isaiah Buggs could see an increased defensive role as long as Alualu is sidelined.

Alualu is expected to miss no more than two games after suffering a sprained MCL in his right knee during Sunday's 28-24 win against the Ravens, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Alualu had been a steady contributor for the Steelers' front seven this season prior to his first-quarter injury Sunday, collecting five starts and an average of 28.2 defensive snaps per game coming into Week 8. Though the 33-year-old will be forced into missing some time, he's avoided devastating injury and should be able to return for Pittsburgh's dominant defense before too long.

Alualu was diagnosed with a sprained MCL after leaving Sunday's win over the Ravens, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

The 33-year-old played only six snaps during the first quarter before going down with the injury and being labeled doubtful to return. Alualu isn't expected to face a significant absence, but his status for the Week 9 matchup with the Cowboys remains in question.

Alualu is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Ravens due to a knee injury, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Alualu picked up the knee injury during the first quarter of the divisional matchup and is likely done for the day. Isaiah Buggs should have an increased role during his absence.

Alualu (knee) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.

Coach Mike Tomlin said following Sunday's win over Denver that Alualu picked up a knee contusion, but as evidenced by this news, the veteran is back to full health. Look for Alualu to return to his usual starting nose tackle role when the Steelers battle Houston in Week 3.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Alualu has a knee contusion and could be limited in practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Alualu has been a solid contributor through two games, posting nine tackles, a sack and a pass breakup. It's unclear how severe this injury is, and he could be limited all week in practice. Isaiah Buggs will start at nose tackle if Alualu is forced to miss any time.

Alualu totaled four tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 28-10 loss to the Ravens.

Alualu has one year remaining on his contract and finished the 2019 season with 41 tackles including a sack one forced fumble in 16 games. He provides depth on defense but has little fantasy value in IDP formats heading into the 2020 season.

Alualu is expected to draw the start at defensive end against the Dolphins on Monday, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

After handling a rotational role for most of the Steelers' first six contests, Alualu will replace Stephon Tuitt (pectoral) in the 3-4 base defense. Since Alualu offers his best work against the run, he'll likely cede his spot at defensive end to Javon Hargrave on obvious passing downs.

Alualu had two tackles (one solo) and a sack in Monday's win over the Bengals.

Alualu didn't have a sack in 15 games for Pittsburgh last season, but he broke through Monday as the Steelers brought down Andy Dalton eight times. The 32-year-old is averaging about 25 defensive snaps per game and has nine tackles this season.

Alualu re-signed with the Steelers on a two-year deal, according to Teresa Varley of the team's official site.

It's fair to suggest that Alualu didn't have a solid 2018 season, setting career lows in tackles (22) and sacks (0) in 15 games. The likes of Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave and Cameron Heyward along the defensive line have essentially turned Alualu into a rotational depth piece, albeit one with a first-round pedigree and history of positive production. Alualu, who will turn 32 years old in May, will likely continue to reprise that role in the coming campaign.

Alualu had two tackles during Sunday's 16-13 win over Cincinnati.

The nine-year veteran finished his second season with the Steelers totaling 22 tackles in 15 games. The 22 tackles were the fewest in a season for Alualu, who also failed to record a sack for the first time in his career. An unrestricted free agent, it remains to be seen if he will be back in Pittsburgh for the 2019 season.

Alualu (shoulder) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Alualu was inactive for Sunday's loss against the Chiefs after receiving a doubtful designation, and he's been dealing with the injury since last week. The 31-year-old should return to his reserve role on the Steelers' defensive line for Monday's game at Tampa Bay.

Alualu (shoulder) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Alualu received a doubtful designation Friday so this news was expected. He played 29 defensive snaps in Week 1 versus the Browns, and his absence will leave a large workload for starter Stephon Tuitt.

Alualu (shoulder) has been deemed doubtful for Sunday's matchup with the Chiefs.

Alualu was able to practice in limited fashion both Thursday and Friday after sitting out Wednesday, but he will need to show some big improvements if he hopes to suit up Sunday. Leterrius Walton and Daniel McCullers will be the only available depth defensive lineman should he ultimately sit out.

Alualu (shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.

Alualu came away from Sunday's season opener with an unspecified shoulder injury, and his absence from Wednesday's practice isn't a good sign. It's still premature to rule him out for Week 2, though the defensive end is best considered questionable at this juncture.

Alualu (shoulder) may not participate in Wednesday's practice, Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Alualu should be considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. He's expected to serve as Stephon Tuitt's backup, but Pittsburgh may ask reserve left defensive end Leterrius Walton to play an increased rotational role if Alualu misses any time.

Alualu, who recorded eight tackles (six solo), including two sacks in Sunday's win over the Browns, finishes up the 2017 season with 39 tackles (25 solo), including four sacks in 16 games.

Starting for Cam Heyward (inactive, coach's decision), Alualu got to DeShone Kizer on Cleveland's first offensive possession of the game and was a dominant force on defense the entire game. Pittsburgh recorded six sacks, giving them 56 on the season, only the third time they've notched 50 or more sacks in the past 16 years (2002, 2008).