With major injuries at ILB, Steelers welcome back a familiar face, Sean Spence

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hurting at inside linebacker. Ryan Shazier remains in Cincinnati after injuring his back vs. the Bengals in Week 13. His backup, Tyler Matakevich, injured his shoulder in the same game leaving just L.J. Fort remaining as inside linebacker depth on the active roster.

The team had to make a move, and they brought back a familiar face who knows the team’s system. Sean Spence.

Spence, who filled in for Shazier in 2015, left the team to play for Dick LeBeau with the Tennessee Titans, but found himself as a free agent in 2017. The Steelers had a need, and Spence checks off most boxes when it comes to what the team is looking for with depth at the position.

Although Spence doesn’t nearly have the athleticism of Shazier, he certainly is capable of getting reacquainted with a system he already knows well, and would likely be an upgrade over Matakevich from a production standpoint.

He won’t have too much time to sit back and smell the roses, as the Steelers are preparing for the Baltimore Ravens on a short week before their Sunday Night rendezvous at Heinz Field in Week 14. A game where if they win, Pittsburgh would clinch their second straight AFC North crown.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest on this, and any other, roster moves made by the black-and-gold.