The Pittsburgh Steelers cut ties Monday with troubled rookie defensive lineman Alameda Ta'amu, Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. Ta'amu was arrested Oct. 14 on numerous charges, including DUI, after fleeing police and crashing into a parked vehicle.
The 22-year-old Ta'amu was replaced on the roster by wide receiver David Gilbreath, who returned two punts for a total of eight yards in the Steelers' 16-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night.
Ta'amu was Pittsburgh's fourth-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Steelers took a chance on Ta'amu, who had a history of DUI when he was a lineman for the Washington Huskies.
The risk didn't pay off as Ta'amu struggled in training camp and was suspended after the Oct. 14 incident.
The Steelers, who play the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday night (8:20 p.m. on NBC), were hoping Ta'amu was going to be a possible replacement for Casey Hampton.