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Head coach Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers opened the practice window for defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Veteran defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk hasn’t played since Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season. But the Pittsburgh Steelers appear hopeful he could return for the team’s postseason run.
The team announced Friday it opened the 21-day practice window for Loudermilk. With the move, the 28-year-old practiced with the team three days before its wild card matchup.
The Steelers now have three weeks to activate Loudermilk. If he is not activated before January 30, he will remain on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Basically, the Steelers have between now and the first week of Super Bowl preparation to see if Loudermilk can play.
The defensive lineman has been on injured reserve because of an ankle ailment since September 17. He last played since Week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks on September 14.
In two games this season, Loudermilk didn’t registered a statistic. The defensive lineman played 37 defensive snaps and 11 snaps on special teams in two contests.
Steelers Open Practice Window for DT Isaiahh Loudermilk
All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has been healthy this season. However, the Steelers have dealt with several other defensive line injuries, especially at defensive tackle, this season.
In addition to Loudermilk, defensive tackles Daniel Ekuale and Dean Lowry landed on IR early in the season.
Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon avoided IR. However, he missed consecutive games on two different occasions during the regular season.
Harmon, though, returned again in December, and the Steelers defensive line solidified itself for the stretch run. Pittsburgh’s defense allowed 73.3 rushing yards per game in the final four regular season weeks.
Still, getting back Loudermilk could provide a significant boost.
Loudermilk won’t have a full week’s worth of practice before the team’s wild card matchup. But because the Steelers host the Houston Texans on Monday, Loudermilk could practice twice before the matchup.
Should the Steelers advance, then Loudermilk will have a full week to prepare for the AFC divisional round.
Loudermilk has started seven games in his five-year NFL career. He started both in Weeks 1 and 2 this season.
In 60 career NFL contests, he has posted 63 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss, six pass defenses and one sack.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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