'Dirty Red' returns to Steelers

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – One of the better special teams players in the NFL over the last decade, linebacker Tyler Matakevich returns to the Steelers on a one-year contract.

A Steelers seventh-round pick in 2016, Matakevich played his first four seasons with the Steelers and the last four with the Buffalo Bills. He’s only played 283 career defensive snaps, but 2,564 special teams snaps with 132 career tackles (95 solo) with an interception and four passes defensed.

Nicknamed ‘Dirty Red’, the 31-year-old Matakevich was the AAC Defensive Player of the Year at Temple in 2015 and also named a consensus All-American finishing his collegiate career with 493 tackles (338 solo).

To make room on the 90-man roster, the Steelers released safety Jalen Elliott.