David DeCastro

The move was a complete shock until NFL Network's Mike Garafolo added that DeCastro has been dealing with an ankle issue for "quite some time" and is considering retirement. Pittsburgh saves $8.8 million by releasing DeCastro but it's clear that this was never their plan. He was released with a non-football injury designation, likely indicating that something is wrong with his ankle. DeCastro was one of just two starting linemen set to return from the 2020 season for Pittsburgh. The other, Chuks Okorafor, is expected to be transitioning from left to right tackle this offseason. The amount of turnover this unit is going through is staggering and doesn't bode well for their prospects in the upcoming season. DeCastro has been to six consecutive Pro Bowls and has started 124 games for the Steelers in the past nine years. Pittsburgh did little to address their splintering offensive line in free agency and the draft, leaving them with a group of bigs that will likely be bullied by most defensives. Add in Ben Roethlisberger's declining arm and the Steelers' offense is now leaning over the edge of a bottomless cliff. 

DeCastro sat out Sunday's beatdown of the Browns after going down in Week 5. The linchpin of the Steelers' line also missed time earlier this season with a knee issue. 

Kevin Dotson is currently in for DeCastro and will play the rest of the game at right guard. Dotson got the start in Week 2 with DeCastro out and also saw a few snaps in Week 1. Pittsburgh may look to continue working their quick passes with DeCastro out of the game for now.

The former All-Pro missed roughly a month of action. Stefen Wisniewski and Kevin Dotson were a trouble spot in DeCastro's absence. Headed into his age-30 campaign, DeCastro remains one of the Steelers' best overall players.