Due to an injury to Chris Hoke, the Pittsburgh Steelers have elected to promote Corbin Bryant from their practice squad prior to traveling West for their game against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday, reports Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Without Hoke, the Steelers would have had just four healthy defensive linemen for Sunday's game: Cameron Heyward, Ziggy Hood, Brett Keisel, and Steve McLendon.
The Steelers signed Bryant to the practice squad as an undrafted free agent during the preseason. The Northwestern product tallied 89 tackles (51 solo), 4.5 sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles in 51 games as a Wildcat.
Having a strong defensive line is of the utmost importance against the Cardinals. As Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, pressuring quarterback Kevin Kolb is the best way to limit the effectiveness of Pro Bowl wide receiver (and former Pittsburgh Panther) Larry Fitzgerald. Hood has excelled at applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks this season, leading the team with 12 hurries, according to Bouchette.