LATROBE, Pa. -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to sign former University of Miami (Ohio) defensive lineman Austin Gearing, the team announced Monday afternoon.
Gearing played in 44 games across four seasons for the RedHawks, registering 38 tackles, six for a loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles last year as a redshirt senior.
Listed on Miami's 2016 roster at 6 feet, 5 inches and 257 pounds, Gearing began college as a quarterback. He was 24 of 54 for 188 yards passing as a redshirt freshman in 2013.
Gearing was a tryout player at Steelers rookie minicamp in May, but was not signed. He was listed as a linebacker on the Steelers' rookie minicamp roster.
Wide receiver Canaan Severin was released to make room for Gearing on the team's active roster.
- Before he got cut Severin reflected on Charlottesville
Outside linebacker and seventh-round draft pick Keion Adams has missed the past several days of training camp practice with an apparent left shoulder injury. Adams has rehabbed on a side field.
With James Harrison rested, Anthony Chickillo (strained hope flexor) hurt and Bud Dupree coming off a spell of practices missed with what he described as a minor injury, the Steelers played with just three outside linebackers, T.J. Watt, Arthur Moats and Farrington Huguenin in their preseason opener against the New York Giants last Friday.
Pittsburgh returns to preseason play on Sunday in a 4 p.m. kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field.
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