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Steelers' Defense Suffers Major Blow: Ekuale Suspended
26 Nov
Summary
- Steelers' defense ranks poorly, facing significant injury challenges.
- Daniel Ekuale received a five-game suspension for PED policy violations.
- This is Ekuale's second suspension for violating the league's substance policy.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are contending for an AFC North title despite fielding one of the franchise's weakest defenses in recent years. Currently ranking 20th in points allowed and 28th in yards, the team's defensive performance is on pace for its worst marks in the Mike Tomlin era.
Much of this decline is attributed to extensive injuries across all defensive levels, particularly impacting the defensive line. Veteran rotational players and starters alike have been sidelined. Among them is Daniel Ekuale, a seven-year veteran who joined the Steelers this offseason and suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8.
Adding to the team's challenges, Ekuale has been suspended for five games without pay for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy. This is his second suspension for such violations, having previously been banned for two games in 2022 while with the New England Patriots. Ekuale's history includes prior substance policy violations dating back to 2018 with the Cleveland Browns.
