Latest news with #KennyWillekes
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers waive/injured rookie OT
To make room for the previously announced signing of outside linebacker Kenny Willekes, the Steelers announced that they have cut offensive tackle Gareth Warren with an injury designation. Warren was hurt in the Steelers' Week 2 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the game, head coach Mike Tomlin said he was being evaluated for a concussion. Warren went undrafted out of Lindenwood University in 2024, signing with the Steelers after an invite to rookie minicamp. You can read more about the Willekes signing here. The Steelers will take on the Carolina Panthers in their preseason finale on EDGE Alex Highsmith returns to practice after dealing with groin injury Jalen Ramsey to make Steelers debut vs. Panthers Steelers DT Cam Heyward returns to practice after hold in DK Metcalf: Aaron Rodgers gets a lot of sh*t for no reason Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers setting bar high for Roman Wilson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Spartan, former Vikings' DE getting third shot at NFL with Steelers after UFL campaign
Ex-Spartan, former Vikings' DE getting third shot at NFL with Steelers after UFL campaign originally appeared on The Sporting News When defensive end Kenny Willekes was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 225th pick in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, all that mattered to the former Michigan State walk-on was getting a shot at the league. The defensive end is getting another chance in the NFL, but will the third time be the charm? Willekes signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers Tuesday, Pro Football Newsroom's James Larsen reported. Contract details have yet to be announced. Willekes only played six games in one season with the Vikings — injury caused Minnesota to waive him in June 2022 and he reverted to the injured reserve. The defensive end re-signed with the Vikings in March 2023 as a restricted free agent but was waived in May. He joined the UFL on the Michigan Panthers' roster last season and tallied 21 tackles, five TFLs and four sacks before an injury sidelined him ahead of the playoffs. This year he played nine games for the Panthers and started in seven, stepping up when Breeland Sparks was injured and recording 31 tackles, 28 QB pressures and four sacks. This contract with the Steelers is Willekes' third opportunity to make it in the NFL, but he's no stranger to a challenge. A walk-on in 2015 at Michigan State, Willekes went from riding the bench as a freshman to earning a full scholarship. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp The defensive end was the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, won the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy and received multiple all-conference first-team honors during his time with the Spartans. In 13 games as a senior in 2019, Willekes posted 10.5 quarterback takedowns, 78 tackles (16 for loss) and forced two fumbles. It's unclear how long Willekes may be in Pittsburgh, but Steelers' fans can count on the defensive end giving it his all.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Spartan signs with Pittsburgh Steelers following stellar UFL season
A former Spartans defensive star is getting another crack in the NFL. Former Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes has reportedly signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. James Larsen of UFL Newsroom reported the notable news on Tuesday morning. Willekes starred for the Michigan Panthers this past season as one of the UFL's top edge rushers over the past two seasons. With the Panthers this past season, he recorded 31 tackles, four sacks and 28 quarterback pressures. Willekes last played in the NFL in 2021 with the Minnesota Vikings. He has appeared in six career games in the NFL, with 2.5 sacks and 18 tackles. Willekes was a star edge rusher for the Spartans from 2016 to 2019, where he appeared in 40 career games as a Spartan. He ended his Michigan State career with 229 tackles, including 26 sacks and 52 tackles for loss. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
