In another week of furious roster activity, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the activation of rookie offensive guard David DeCastro from the injured reserve-recall list Monday, bringing the first round pick onto the roster for the first time this season.
He suffered a knee injury in the preseason, and was among the first NFL players to be placed on the newly created IR-recall list. He is also among the first to be taken off it.
In a related move, the Steelers placed offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert on injured-reserve, ending his season with an ankle injury he suffered in Pittsburgh's Week 7 win over Cincinnati.
The move to bring DeCastro back was expected, more or less, but Gilbert being put on IR wasn't.
It could be a precursor to another shift among the offensive line. The Steelers had RG Ramon Foster playing at right tackle this preseason, and the plan for the Steelers' Week 13 game against Baltimore could be to play Foster at right tackle - rookie OT Mike Adams was injured against the Browns in Week 12 - and have either Doug Legursky start at right guard, or have DeCastro make his regular season debut Sunday.
The Steelers haven't confirmed Adams' status as of Monday.
Wide receiver David Gilreath was released to make room for DeCastro and OG John Malecki, who was signed off the practice squad Monday. Gilreath likely will re-sign with the Steelers' practice squad.