Report: Veteran Defender Changes Mind About Signing With Steelers Amid Torn ACL Recovery originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It was reported on Sunday that veteran defensive lineman Dean Lowry was re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers after missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL.
Multiple reports said Tuesday, however, that Lowry's potential return to Pittsburgh is on hold.
"Upon further review: Dean Lowry has decided to take a little more time to work into playing shape. He did not take a physical, but he has been fully cleared from last season’s injury," NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport posted on X.
"Veteran defensive lineman Dean Lowry, who agreed to a one-year deal with #Steelers previously and is fully medically cleared, not signing today as he continues to work at getting in optimal football shape, per a league source. Previously #Vikings#Packers Lowry is a 6-6, 296-pound former fourth-round Green Bay pick from Northwestern who has recorded 271 career tackles, 17 1/2 sacks and five fumble recoveries with one interception @KPRC2," KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson wrote on X.
The 31-year-old defender was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and spent the first seven seasons of his career with the team.
Lowry signed with the Minnesota Vikings in March 2023 but was limited to nine games that season due to injury and joined the Steelers in March 2024.
He recorded five tackles, one quarterback hit and one sack across 190 total snaps covering 12 contests during the 2024 campaign.
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