The Pittsburgh Steelers lost two starting inside linebackers earlier this month in a two-game span. While Elandon Roberts’ presence softened the blow significantly, that still left a major hole they needed to find a way to address mid-season.
They did so by turning to a pair of veteran former starting linebackers who were at different chapters in their lives. Partly due to the effects that injuries had on both their career opportunities and their bodies, both Blake Martinez and Myles Jack had retired within the past year before reversing course in recent weeks.
Jack elected to step away in August, but when the opportunity came to return to the Steelers following his release earlier this offseason, he took it.