Steelers make surprising roster move by releasing Matthew Thomas to make room for Ola Adeniyi

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a roster move to be able to promote rookie outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi, but the move they made might have some scratching their heads.

The organization has released undrafted rookie Matthew Thomas to make room for Adeniyi prior to the team’s Week 13 game on Sunday Night Football vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Adeniyi was likely promoted due to the questionable health of outside linebacker Bud Dupree. Dupree suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle vs. the Broncos in Week 12, and is officially listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.

If Dupree can’t play this Sunday at Heinz Field, Adeniyi will be the player coming off the bench to fill in for Anthony Chickillo or T.J. Watt when necessary. Adeniyi had a promising preseason, but a hamstring injury in Week 4 of the exhibition games saw him land on Injured Reserve.

The Adeniyi promotion isn’t the biggest story hear, but the release of Matthew Thomas is certainly head scratching. Thomas might not have panned out as the team had hoped as an inside linebacker, but it was thought his special teams play would do enough to keep him on the roster.

That clearly wasn’t the case.

The Steelers will likely hope to re-sign Thomas on the team’s practice squad, but only if he clears waivers. Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they head into Week 13.