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Tuzar Skipper clears waivers, will the Steelers pick him up, even if just on the practice squad?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of OLB depth, and the man many fans didn’t want to see go just hit the open market.

NFL: Preseason-Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have placed Tuzar Skipper on waivers. The former preseason standout and Pittsburgh Steelers fan favorite is now available to be claimed. The question remains does the team have a shot at acquiring Skipper, and if so does the team have interest?

Mike Tomlin has went on record as saying “I’m not feeling great” in terms of the depth at the outside linebacker postiion during his weekly press conference. The legal allegations concerning Anthony Chickillo and the health of star OLB T.J. Watt has left the room a tad empty.

If the Steelers do decide to put in a waiver claim for Skipper, they are currently 10th on the waiver claim list. In other words, nine other NFL franchises would have to pass on Skipper before he was awarded to the team who gave him a shot this offseason. Of course, the Steelers could gamble and see if Skipper clears waivers and try to sign him as a free agent.

In his time with the Giants, Skipper played sparingly only registering two assisted tackles, half a sack and a fumble recovery on 40 snaps. He has 27 snaps credited to his play on special teams. Not exactly head turning, but he has game experience in the Steelers system, albeit preseason.

Many of the faithful here at BTSC would want him back, it will be interesting if the Steelers feel the same. If they are unable to get Skipper back in the fold, they do have another option with Jayrone Elliott who was released when the team had to promote both Trey Edmunds and Paxton Lynch off the practice squad leading up to the Week 6 Sunday Night Football game vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Stay tuned to BTSC for all the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they prepare for the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 8.

UPDATE:

Skipper has cleared waivers and is now available to sign with any NFL team. Will the Steelers bring him back?