Steelers' Keeanu Benton: Logs more snaps in second season
Rotowire
Benton finished the 2024 regular season with 36 tackles (16 solo), including 1.0 sacks, along with six defensed passes (one of which was an interception) and one fumble recovery over 17 contests.
Benton has yet to miss a game in his two-year NFL career. He was on the field more often this season than in his rookie campaign -- last year, he logged more than 50 percent of Pittsburgh's defensive snaps four times, while this season that number shot up to 13. However, Benton produced the exact same number of tackles and sacks, though he did boost his tally of pass defenses by four. His numbers aren't appealing in IDP leagues, but Benton has shown promise in his first two pro seasons and should maintain a steady role along Pittsburgh's defensive line in the third year of his rookie contract next season.
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Steelers' Keeanu Benton: Picks off pass in win
Rotowire
Benton recorded a tackle and an interception in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns.
Perhaps not surprisingly, it was the nose tackle's first interception of his two-year career. Benton does have six pass breakups in 2024 to go along with 23 tackles (12 solo).
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Steelers' Keeanu Benton: Will play against Bengals
Rotowire
Benton (hip) does not have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Benton popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited practice participant due to a hip injury, but it doesn't appear to be bothering him anymore as he was able to log a full practice Friday. The second-year defensive tackle out of Wisconsin has logged 21 tackles (11 solo), five pass defenses and one fumble recovery across 11 regular-season games.
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Steelers' Keeanu Benton: Managing hip issue
Rotowire
Benton was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a hip injury, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Benton didn't appear on Wednesday's estimated practice report, so it's unclear when the hip issue sprung up. The defensive tackle's participation level in Friday's practice should provide clearer insight about whether he's at risk of missing Sunday's Week 13 game against the Bengals. Benton hasn't yet missed a contest this season and has tallied 21 tackles over 11 games.
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Steelers' Keeanu Benton: Plays 15 snaps
Rotowire
Benton (eye) tallied two tackles, including half a sack, in Saturday's 9-3 preseason loss to the Bills.
Benton suffered an eye injury during the Steelers' preseason opener, but he was a starter for Saturday's matchup. He played 15 defensive snaps and was relatively productive during his time on the field, and he should be fully healthy moving forward.
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Steelers' Keeanu Benton: Back in full pads Tuesday
Rotowire
Benton (ankle) was in full pads for Tuesday's practice, Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot reports.
Benton exited the preseason opener with an ankle injury last Friday, but it sounds like he avoided anything serious. The second-round rookie, selected 49th overall, is expected to serve as the Steelers' starting nose tackle.
