Daniel Ekuale - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Suspension lifted, still on IR The NFL lifted Ekuale's (knee) five-game suspension Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Ekuale was suspended for five games by the NFL for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy. He was placed on injured reserve in late October after tearing his ACL against the Packers in Week 8, and the seventh-year pro is aiming toward being fully healthy for the start of the 2026 campaign.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lamar Jackson finally faces Aaron Rodgers, assuming their shaky health allows it

Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers have remarkably never faced each other

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Mike Tomlin on Steelers Identity at 6-6: 'I don't like it'

Mike Tomlin isn't immune to the boos that followed the Pittsburgh Steelers after their blowout loss to Buffalo, but understands why he's hea...

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Mike Tomlin on Steelers Identity at 6-6: 'I don't like it'

Pittsburgh Steelers defender handed 5-game suspension from NFL The NFL suspended a Pittsburgh Steelers defender on Tuesday. Defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale was suspended without pay for the next five game...

NOVEMBER 26, 2025 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Hit with five-game suspension The NFL suspended Ekuale five games Tuesday for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Ekuale is already out for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL last month, so he'll just serve the ban while sitting on injured reserve. The 31-year-old defensive lineman appeared in seven games this season, producing six tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup on 72 defensive snaps.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers will be without injured safeties Elliott, Peppers and Clark as Indianapolis visits

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing challenges in their secondary ahead of Sunday's game against Indianapolis

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Deadspin | Steelers place S DeShon Elliott, DT Daniel Ekuale on IR Deadspin | Steelers place S DeShon Elliott, DT Daniel Ekuale on IR

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • DEADSPIN.COM

Sent to injured reserve The Steelers placed Ekuale (knee) on injured reserve Friday.

Impact Ekuale's season is over after he suffered a torn ACL in last Sunday night's loss to the Packers. Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black will see the bulk of the nose-tackle snaps for Pittsburgh. Prior to his injury, Ekuale logged six tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup on 14 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps.

OCTOBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers' backup plan after big injury loss is already crystal clear The Pittsburgh Steelers already have a backup plan in place at defensive tackle after losing Daniel Ekuale for the season.

OCTOBER 30, 2025 • STILLCURTAIN.COM

Suffers torn ACL Ekuale tore his ACL during the Steelers' 35-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Impact Ekuale sustained the injury in the first quarter, and further tests revealed a torn ACL that will sideline the veteran defensive tackle for the rest of the 2025 season, and it could impact his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign. The Steelers could look to add depth to their defensive line via trade, free agency, the waiver wire or the practice squad, but rookie fifth-rounder Yahya Black could also see a significant uptick in defensive snaps. Ekuale will finish the 2025 regular season with six tackles (four solo) and one pass defense over seven games.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers defense is making a lot of money. It's just not making many plays

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most well-compensated defenses in the NFL

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers fall short in QB's reunion with Packers as Love leads 35-25 win

Jordan Love passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers beat Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-25

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Done for night Ekuale (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday night's contest against Green Bay.

Impact Ekuale suffered a knee injury in the first quarter, and he will now be forced to sit out the rest of the game. In his absence, Yahya Black and Esezi Otomewo stand to operate in more significant roles on the defensive line versus the Packers.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers knee injury Ekuale is doubtful to return to Sunday night's matchup with the Packers due to a knee injury, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.

Impact The defensive tackle did not record a stat before exiting the contest. Ekuale did not play more than 20 defensive snaps in any of the Steelers' first six games before Sunday night. Yahya Black and Esezi Otomewo are the extra defensive linemen available for Pittsburgh against Green Bay.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers captain Cam Heyward taking wait-and-see approach to playing as contract issue lingers

Cam Heyward's 15th NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers begins Sunday against the New York Jets

SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Ex-Patriots Pass Rusher Reveals Why He Joined 'Hall of Fame' Players With Steelers Former New England Patriots defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale revealed why he chose to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

APRIL 14, 2025 • KANSASCITY.COM

Massive new Steelers pass rusher explains why he signed with Pittsburgh Daniel Ekuale reveals why he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

APRIL 13, 2025 • PENNLIVE.COM

WATCH: Steelers' Daniel Ekuale likes his fit in defense alongside Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes newly signed defensive lineman Daniel Ekual...

APRIL 8, 2025 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

New Steelers lineman Daniel Ekuale, a former Troy Polamalu camper, aims to 'anchor' defense Daniel Ekuale was 17 years old when the NFL seemed like a larger-than-life goal — and then a larger-than-life icon showed up right in front...

APRIL 6, 2025 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Patriots Lose Starting Defensive Lineman to Steelers in Free Agency The New England Patriots lost defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency.

MARCH 17, 2025 • KANSASCITY.COM

Report: Ex-Patriots defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale agrees to sign with the Steelers Daniel Ekuale, who started a career-high 16 games for the Patriots last season, is leaving to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

MARCH 17, 2025 • BOSTON.COM

Signs with Pittsburgh Ekuale and the Steelers have agreed on a contract, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Impact Ekuale will head to Pittsburgh after spending the last two seasons with the Patriots, most recently compiling a career-high 52 total tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 16 regular-season games in 2024. The defensive tackle will likely operate as a depth piece behind Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton in 2025.

MARCH 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Career year in 2024 Ekuale recorded 52 total tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 16 games in 2024.

Impact The 31-year-old defensive lineman had the most productive season of his career with New England in 2024, surpassing his previous career high in total tackles by 38. Ekuale also played more than double his previous high for defensive snaps in a season (344 to 693), appearing in all but one of the Patriots' games. He's now set to hit unrestricted free agency after completing the final season of a two-year, $3.4 million deal with New England. Ekuale is expected to be an attractive target on the free-agent market for teams seeking interior defensive line help this offseason.

JANUARY 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Big-guy TD: Cardinals offensive lineman Jonah Williams scores first touchdown since sixth grade

Everyone loves a big-guy touchdown, maybe no one more than Jonah Williams

DECEMBER 16, 2024 • Associated Press

Good to go for Week 12 Ekuale (elbow) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Miami.

Impact Ekuale started the week with consecutive limited practices, but he finished strong with a full session Friday and will suit up for Sunday's AFC East clash. Ekuale has logged 13 tackles (five solo) over his last three outings since returning from a one-game absence due to an abdomen injury.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

DANIEL EKUALE NEWS

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Lamar Jackson finally faces Aaron Rodgers, assuming their shaky health allows it

Mike Tomlin on Steelers Identity at 6-6: 'I don't like it'

Steelers will be without injured safeties Elliott, Peppers and Clark as Indianapolis visits

Steelers defense is making a lot of money. It's just not making many plays

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers fall short in QB's reunion with Packers as Love leads 35-25 win

Steelers captain Cam Heyward taking wait-and-see approach to playing as contract issue lingers

Big-guy TD: Cardinals offensive lineman Jonah Williams scores first touchdown since sixth grade