DeMarvin Leal hasn’t had the start to his career that many expected when the Pittsburgh Steelers made him their third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. But by all accounts, he has taken a big step forward in his third season based on the developmental process in the offseason and preseason. The only issue is, he hasn’t gotten a chance to really show that improvement through the first three weeks of the season. That opportunity should come this week with OLB Alex Highsmith dealing with a groin injury.
Leal is listed as a defensive linemen, but he is also the team’s fourth outside linebacker, which makes him the top backup while Highsmith is out injured.