DeMarvin Leal Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Steelers vs Bears game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 6, 2025
Let go by Pittsburgh
Leal was waived by the Steelers on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Leal appeared in three games with the Steelers after being signed to the active roster Sept. 17, recording two total tackles (one solo) while playing 17 snaps on defense and nine with the special-teams unit. The defensive lineman will now be placed on waivers, and if he goes unclaimed, he'll likely stick around with the practice squad in Pittsburgh.
Sep 17, 2025
Signed off practice squad
The Steelers signed Leal from their practice squad Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The 2022 third-round pick from Texas A&M has appeared in 28 regular-season games for the Steelers over his NFL career, recording 33 total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and four passes defended. Now back with the team's active roster, Leal is expected to play a depth role on Pittsburgh's defensive line.
May 28, 2025
Back at full health
Leal (neck) told reporters Wednesday that he feels "100 percent," Aaron Becker of SteelersNow.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 24-year-old missed Pittsburgh's final 12 regular-season games in 2024 due to a neck injury, but he now appears to be past the issue. Leal played just 76 total snaps (50 defensive and 26 on special-teams) over five games in 2024, recording four total tackles. He's expected to compete for a depth role on the Steelers' defensive line throughout the summer.
Dec 17, 2024
Done for season
Leal (neck) is not expected to return this season, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal suffered a neck injury back in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve. A third-round pick in 2022 by Pittsburgh, Leal recorded four tackles (two solo) across five games prior to his injury. The 2025 campaign is currently set to be the final year of his rookie contract.
Oct 12, 2024
Lands on IR
Leal (neck) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Teresa Varley of Pittsburgh's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal suffered a neck stinger against Dallas in Week 5, and the issue has been deemed serious enough for the defensive lineman to move to IR. As a result, he'll miss at least the Steelers' next four contests, with a Nov. 17 matchup versus Baltimore being his earliest possible return date. Montravius Adams could see more defensive snaps while Leal is sidelined.
Oct 8, 2024
Won't play at Las Vegas
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Leal (neck) is out for Sunday's game at Las Vegas, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal was forced out of Sunday's game versus the Cowboys early with a neck issue, which will hold him out of action entirely in Week 6. Montravius Adams will likely see an uptick in reps in his absence.
Oct 7, 2024
Unlikely to return
Leal (neck) is doubtful to return to Sunday's contest against the Cowboys, Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal suffered a stinger in the fourth quarter, and, unsurprisingly, he is expected to remain out for the rest of the game. In Leal's absence, Isaiahh Loudermilk is a candidate to see an increase in workload on the defensive line.
Oct 18, 2023
Returns to practice
Leal (concussion) was a full participant in Pittsburgh's practice Wednesday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal has cleared the concussion protocol after missing the Steelers' Week 5 win versus Baltimore. The 23-year-old has logged 10 tackles (eight solo), including a sack, in four games and will look to increase those totals against the Rams on Sunday.
Oct 6, 2023
Sitting out Week 5
Leal (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest against Baltimore, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal won't suit up this Sunday, as he continues to recover from the concussion he suffered during the Steelers' Week 4 loss to Houston. The veteran Armon Watts is likely to start on Pittsburgh's defensive line in Leal's stead.
Oct 1, 2023
Suffers concussion in Week 4
Leal suffered a concussion and he is done for the remainder of Sunday's matchup with the Texans, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal will now enter concussion protocol and shift his focus to potentially returning in Week 5 versus Baltimore. No player has played the following week after sustaining a concussion this season.
Sep 14, 2023
Not on injury report Thursday
Leal (elbow) was not listed on Pittsburgh's injury report Thursday ahead of Monday's game versus the Browns, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
After sustaining an elbow injury during Sunday's 30-7 loss versus San Francisco, Leal will apparently be at full strength for Week 2. His primary assignment Monday will be to slow down Nick Chubb and Cleveland's hard-nosed rushing attack.
Sep 10, 2023
Questionable to return
Leal exited Sunday's game against the 49ers with an elbow injury, Alan Saunders of PittsburghSportsNow.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal registered one tackle in Sunday's game before his exit. With Cameron Heyward (groin) also questionable to return, the Steelers' defensive front will be thin for the rest of the game should neither player be able to return.
Dec 3, 2022
Coming back from IR
Pittsburgh activated Leal (knee) from its injured reserve list Saturday ahead of Sunday's game at Atlanta, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
After missing the Steelers' last six games recovering from an ankle injury, Leal appears poised to return to action in Week 13 at the Falcons. The rookie third-rounder should fill a rotational role on the defensive line against a run-heavy Atlanta offense.
Nov 16, 2022
Returns from IR
The Steelers designated Leal (knee) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal was placed on IR with a knee injury ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 6 win over Tampa Bay. Now, the rookie defensive lineman will have a 21-day window to practice and be restored to the active roster, or else he'll revert to season-ending injured reserve. Leal recorded nine tackles and three passes defended in a rotational role over the first five games of the season, and his earliest opportunity to play will come Sunday against the Bengals.
Oct 16, 2022
Placed on IR
Leal (knee) was placed on the injured reserve list Saturday.
ANALYSIS
After being ruled out of Sunday's matchup against the Bucs due to a knee injury, the Steelers have now placed him on the IR list. Through his first five games on his rookie season Leal has logged nine tackles and three pass breakups. Isaiahh Loudermilk could take over Leal's defensive end duties Sunday.
Oct 15, 2022
Out for Week 6
Leal (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Leal has been active for each of the first five games of his rookie season, and he's served as a rotational player along the defensive line. He's tallied nine total tackles with three passes defended. Isaiahh Loudermilk -- regularly a healthy scratch -- could suit up to fill in for Leal's absence.
Apr 29, 2022
Added to Steel Curtain
The Steelers selected Leal in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 84th overall.
ANALYSIS
Leal was a blue-chip recruit and three-year starter at Texas A&M, where he played a leading role in a solid Aggies run defense. Leal is undersized as an interior defender (6-foot-4, 283 pounds) but lacks the athleticism to play true defensive end (5.0-second 40), so a 3-4 team like Pittsburgh always made the most sense for him.
Download the app