Editors Note: The Steelers cut Jordan Zumwalt on August 28th 2016. Click here for that story.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make roster moves as dreams end or at least are put on hold for some this summer at St. Vincents. Yesterday The Turk visited Tajh Boyd and, In what amounts to a surprise move, the Steelers cut 2014 6th round draft pick Jordan Zumwalt, who played linebacker at UCLA.
Jordan Zumwalt’s rookie season got off to a rocky start, as he spent most of the summer watching Steelers practice from the sidelines due to an hip injury. Eventually, the Steelers put Zumwalt on injured reserve.
Still the Steelers were expecting big things from Zumwalt in 2015, and they liked his position flexibility. Although he was drafted and primarily played as an inside linebacker Zumwalt, he also had the potential to move to outside linebacker. However, as Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac informs, the Steelers didn’t see Zumwalt doing enough to realize his potential.
Coaches thought Zumwalt needed to practice harder and with more intensity. Looked better in games than drills
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 19, 2015
Pittsburgh coaches haven’t given up on the once-promising UCLA linebacker as the Steelers designate Jordan Zumwalt waived/injured. By doing so, any other NFL team can place a wavier wire claim on Jordan Zumwalt and acquire his rights. If that does not happen, the Steelers will have a choice to make. They can either reach an injury settlement with Zumwalt or they can place Zumwalt on the injured reserve.
- Given Gerry Dulac’s tweet, its likely that Zumwalt’s time with the Seelers has come to an end.
And if Dulac’s reporting is correct, that would amount to a major disappointment. Inside linebacker is easily the deepest position on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster, with Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier as the two starters, backed up by Sean Spence and Vince Williams, both men who could arguably start on the majority of other NFL teams.
And the Steelers also have Terence Garvin, a special teams standout who was working his way into the Steelers 3rd down offense in 2013 before he got hurt. Given the premium on competition at the positon, one would have thought Zumwalt would have been wise enough to give it his all in practice.
- Apparently he wasn’t and he didn’t.
To take Zumwalt’s place on the roster the Steelers claimed L.J. Fort off of waivers from the New England Patriots.
Fort entered the NFL in 2012 with the Cleveland Browns, where he made 1 start and intercepted a pass which he returned for 10 yards and recorded a sack. That wasn’t enough to ensure him a spot with the Browns on in the NFL as he sat out 2013. HE did suit up for both the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks in 2014.
