Down 2 starting inside linebackers, Steelers could turn to veteran Mykal Walker

Since being signed to the practice squad two weeks ago, linebacker Mykal Walker has been trying grasp the Pittsburgh Steelers playbook.

Whether he’s ready or not, his knowledge of the scheme could be tested in a game setting.

Walker is a candidate to be signed to the 53-man roster in the wake of Kwon Alexander’s season-ending Achilles injury that he sustained in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 23-19 victory against Green Bay on Sunday.

Walker, 26, and a four-year NFL veteran, was bypassed for a roster spot when the Steelers called up Tariq Carpenter for the Packers game. Carpenter got the call after linebacker Cole Holcomb was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

With the Steelers down a second starter in as many weeks, Walker is ready to take on the additional responsibility if needed. The Steelers have just Elandon Roberts and Mark Robinson on the active roster at inside linebacker.

“I’ve done it before, had the green dot before, played in big games,” Walker said Monday. “It’s the experience and versatility I have out there.”

Walker spent his first three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and started 12 games last season when he totaled 107 tackles. He was let go in training camp by Atlanta and then Chicago and spent time on Las Vegas’ practice squad. He signed with the Steelers on Oct. 29, six days after the Raiders cut him.

“It’s been riding the roller coaster up and down waiting for my number to be called,” he said. “My first two years in Atlanta, I was always the guy who had to wait and scrap and fight to get to the top. When my opportunity comes, I’ll be ready.”

Helping hand

Special teams coach Danny Smith has tight end Rodney Williams to thank for not incurring a more serious injury after the final play of the game Sunday. Smith was flattened on the hit against Damontae Kazee as the safety was running out of bounds after his game-ending interception.

While Steelers players rushed to Kazee’s defense, Smith remained on the ground until Williams pulled him to safety.

“I’m going to talk to him about it, see if I can get a fake punt or something,” Williams said when asked if he would seek a reward from Smith.

Smith escaped serious injury in the melee, and he didn’t even have his customary wad of gum dislodged from his mouth.

“He didn’t say much. He was just chewing his gum,” Williams said about the aftermath. “Even when I picked him up and looked at him, he was still chewing it. I don’t know how we was able to do that.”

Roster move

The Steelers made one transaction involving their defense Monday, but it didn’t involve adding a replacement for Alexander to the 53-man roster. Instead, defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko was waived.

Signed in free agency after spending three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Fehoko didn’t appear in a game for the Steelers. He was released in training camp and added to the practice squad before spending the past six games on the 53-man roster. Fehoko was inactive for five of those games and didn’t play a snap in the lone one in which he was active.