Steelers place Tyson Alualu on IR, promote Henry Mondeaux from practice squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a roster move following their Week 2 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. After having ankle surgery on Monday, the Steelers have placed nose tackle Tyson Alualu on the Reserve/Injured List. In a corresponding roster move, Steelers of promoted defensive tackle Henry Mondeaux from the practice squad.

Entering his 12th season, Alualu was a first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010. Playing the last five seasons in Pittsburgh, including two games in 2021, Alualu had 24 starts in 64 games with seven sacks and 145 tackles with the Steelers. Lost on the first defensive drive on Sunday, Alualu had five tackles in 2021.

Having surgery on Monday, Alualu will miss significant time with the possibility of being out the entire 2021 NFL season. Under the current IR rules, Alualu would be eligible to return in 2021 if physically able.

Signing a new contract in 2021 after originally agreeing to go back to Jacksonville, Alualu is under contract through the 2022 NFL season where he will turn 35 years old prior to the start of the season.

With the open roster spot, the Steelers have promoted defensive tackle Henry Mondeaux from the practice squad. Originally making the 53-man roster, Mondeaux was released and signed the practice squad when the Steelers traded for cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon on September 3. Starting the 2020 season on the Steelers practice squad, Mondeaux appeared in 11 games in 2020 where he had five tackles, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits. During the 2021 preseason, Mondeaux played 112 snaps for the Steelers and had six quarterback hurries and two tackles and had the Steelers second-highest grade according to Pro Football Focus only behind Alex Highsmith.

Stay tuned to Behind The Steel Curtain for breaking news, player updates, and injury reports as the Steelers move forward to prepare to take on the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday at Heinz Field.