Ekuale and the Steelers have agreed on a contract, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports. Ekuale will head to Pittsburgh after spending the last two seasons with the Patriots, most recently compiling a career-high 52 total tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 16 regular-season games in 2024. The defensive tackle will likely operate as a depth piece behind Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton in 2025.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Daniel Ekuale news
Team
Pittsburgh Steelers
Birthdate
1/13/1994 (31)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'3", 300 lbs
Birthplace
Pago Pago,, ASM
Position
DT
College
Washington State
Experience
6 seasons
Career History
New England Patriots
2021-2025
(4 seasons)
Jacksonville Jaguars
2020-2021
(2 seasons)
Cleveland Browns
2018-2020
(2 seasons)
Ekuale and the Steelers have agreed on a contract, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports. Ekuale will head to Pittsburgh after spending the last two seasons with the Patriots, most recently compiling a career-high 52 total tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 16 regular-season games in 2024. The defensive tackle will likely operate as a depth piece behind Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton in 2025.
Ekuale recorded 52 total tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 16 games in 2024. The 31-year-old defensive lineman had the most productive season of his career with New England in 2024, surpassing his previous career high in total tackles by 38. Ekuale also played more than double his previous high for defensive snaps in a season (344 to 693), appearing in all but one of the Patriots' games. He's now set to hit unrestricted free agency after completing the final season of a two-year, $3.4 million deal with New England. Ekuale is expected to be an attractive target on the free-agent market for teams seeking interior defensive line help this offseason.
Ekuale (elbow) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Miami. Ekuale started the week with consecutive limited practices, but he finished strong with a full session Friday and will suit up for Sunday's AFC East clash. Ekuale has logged 13 tackles (five solo) over his last three outings since returning from a one-game absence due to an abdomen injury.
Ekuale was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to an elbow injury, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports. Ekuale appears to have sustained an elbow injury in the Patriots' Week 11 loss to the Rams, despite playing 40 total snaps (33 defensive and seven on special teams) and recording five total tackles. If the 29-year-old is unable to play through the issue in Sunday's divisional matchup against the Dolphins, expect Jeremiah Pharms to see additional work as one of the Patriots' top backup defensive ends.
Ekuale (abdomen) is absent from the Patriots' inactive list for Sunday's game against the Bears. After missing the Patriots' Week 8 win over the Jets due to an abdominal injury, he was able to play through the issue against the Titans in Week 9. He opened the week with back-to-back limited practices but was upgraded to a full participant Friday, and the 30-year-old will suit up for Sunday's contest. Ekuale has logged a career-high 30 tackles (15 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over eight regular-season games.
Ekuale (abdomen) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears. Ekuale upgraded to full practice Friday after opening the week with back-to-back limited sessions, so it appears he's trending toward playing in Sunday's contest. However, if the Washington State product is unable to play through his abdomen issue, expect Jeremiah Pharms and Deatrich Wise to see increased snaps with New England's first-team defensive line.
Ekuale finished with seven tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Titans. The defensive lineman also played on more than 60 percent of the defensive snaps for the eighth time in his eight games this season. Ekuale already has a career-high 30 tackles (15 solo), including 1.0 sacks, in 2024.
Ekuale (abdomen) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's matchup with the Titans. Ekuale missed the team's Week 8 win over the Jets due to an abdomen industry, but he was able to work up to being a full participant at practice Friday. The 30-year-old will likely be back in his starting role on New England's defensive line against Tennessee.
Ekuale (abdomen) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Ekuale likely sustained an abdomen injury in Patriots practice that forced him to miss Week 8's win over the Jets. However, Wednesday's limited session suggests he could return as soon as Week 9, when the Patriots face the Titans. His participation in practice Thursday and Friday will provide the best indication of whether he can suit up Sunday.