Steelers Use NFL Loophole to Reunite With Rookie Defender: Report

Getty The Pittsburgh Steelers always have a few tricks up their sleeve.

The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed undrafted rookie linebacker Julius Welschof to the practice squad on November 26, according to Steelers.com reporter Teresa Varley, and they utilized a slight NFL loophole to do so.

Just after the move, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reminded that “Welschof was in camp with the Steelers before sustaining a knee injury in the preseason finale. He qualifies for the International Player Pathway, which means the OLB doesn’t count against the practice squad total.”

In other words, Pittsburgh won’t have to release anyone in order to bring Welschof back into the mix. It’s a no-risk practice squad flyer on a prospect that general manager Omar Khan and head Mike Tomlin liked enough to sign in the first place.

“Welschof was signed originally signed by the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft,” Varley detailed in her article. “He started at defensive end for Charlotte but had his 2023 season cut short due to injury, playing in four games. He began his career at Michigan where he played in 35 games. In 2022 he played in all 14 games.”

Welschof is from Miesbach, Bavaria, Germany. This qualifies him for the International Player Pathway program that DeFabo mentioned.