When Tyson Alualu went down with a season-ending injury in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 of the 2021 season at Heinz Field, the prevailing thought was that those snaps prior to the fractured ankle would be the last snaps he’d play as a Pittsburgh Steeler.
At 34 years old (at the time of injury), Alualu had one year remaining on his deal, and suffering a significant lower body injury like he did, it would have made sense if he or the Steelers decided to move on from one another. Instead, Alualu rehabbed hard after surgery, allowing him to return for his final season under contract in Pittsburgh, where he’s slotted to hold down the starting nose tackle job once again in between Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.