Steelers Lose 2nd Player to Practice Squad Poaching in 8 Days
Veteran linebacker Jon Rhattigan made his Pittsburgh Steelers debut during Week 2 as a practice squad elevation. That now appears likely to be the only time he will play in black and gold.
The linebacker’s agency, JL Sports, announced Tuesday night that the Las Vegas Raiders have signed Rhattigan off the Steelers practice squad.
This is the second time in eight days the Steelers have lost a defender on their practice squad via another team signing the player to their active roster. On September 30, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro from the Steelers practice squad.
Rhattigan joined the Steelers after training camp but before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. The linebacker spent the offseason and most of August with the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers released Rhattigan on August 26 as part of their final roster cuts.
In his lone appearance for the Steelers, Rhattigan played six special teams snaps. He didn’t play on defense.
The Raiders added the veteran linebacker ahead of a home matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. The Steelers will play the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Steelers Lose LB Jon Rhattigan to Raiders
The fact Pittsburgh’s practice squad players are worthy of consideration for active roster spots on other teams is a great sign. That speaks to the strong depth the Steelers have built this season.
But the end result is losing that depth. The Steelers have now lost a potential up-and-coming safety and veteran linebacker/special teams contributor in about a week’s span.
Rhattigan began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent in 2021. The linebacker signed with the Seattle Seahawks. As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games for the Seahawks, posting 10 combined tackles and a fumble recovery.
Rhattigan has never started an NFL game. But over three seasons in Seattle, he dressed for 36 games. Rhattigan then played 16 contests for the Panthers in 2024.
In 53 games overall, he has posted 44 combined tackles. Of the 1,044 snaps he’s taken in the NFL, 1,024 of them have come on special teams.
Rhattigan played a career-high 19 defensive snaps in Seattle during 2023.
In Las Vegas, Rhattigan will reunite with Pete Carroll. His first NFL coach, Carroll coached the linebacker with the Seahawks from 2021-23.
Steelers LB Depth Without Rhattigan
Mike Tomlin’s club has a healthy complement of linebackers on the active roster. Patrick Queen is their leader of the group while Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb have split opportunities the past couple weeks.
Day 3 rookie Carson Bruener is also on the team’s active roster.
So linebacker practice squad depth isn’t necessarily a major need for the Steelers right now. However, the team suffered a significant practice squad setback at linebacker Tuesday.
A few hours prior to losing Rhattigan, the Steelers announced waiving linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley from the practice squad. Essentially, the team lost two practice squad linebackers Tuesday.
The Steelers signed running back Raheem Blackshear in place of Bentley.
Without Rhattigan, the team now has an open practice squad spot. It will be interesting to see if Tomlin and his staff use it to bring back Bentley.
An eight-year veteran, Bentley won the Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2018. He has posted 509 combined tackles, including 21 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 83 NFL games.
Cooper DeJean Fined $11,593 for Taunting After Tackle on Rachaad White in Buccaneers Game
Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean has been fined $11,593 for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following his taunting of Rachaad White after a tackle during his team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The incident, which occurred after DeJean brought down White, has sparked debate over the league’s stance on taunting and its impact on player behavior.
DeJean, known for his aggressive play and strong defense, was penalized for celebrating the hit in a manner deemed excessive by officials. The fine, issued by the league, underscores the NFL’s continued effort to limit taunting and ensure sportsmanship on the field.
“I regret the way I acted in the heat of the moment,” DeJean said in a statement. “I understand the importance of respecting my opponents, and I’ll make sure to keep my emotions in check moving forward. I’ll accept the fine and focus on staying focused on the game.”
While many fans and analysts have expressed support for DeJean's passion and intensity, the fine reflects the league's ongoing focus on maintaining professionalism and avoiding behavior that could escalate tensions between players. DeJean’s taunting, while not a violent action, was considered an unnecessary show of emotion after a big play.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz expressed his support for DeJean, stating, “Cooper plays with a lot of fire and passion, and we appreciate that. However, we always want to remind our players to keep their focus and show respect for the game and our opponents.”
DeJean's fine serves as a reminder of the NFL’s commitment to promoting sportsmanship and controlling player conduct. As the season progresses, the cornerback will look to channel his energy in ways that contribute to his team’s success without drawing penalties.
