Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker rookie linebacker Julius Welschof lately visited the Detroit Lions, per NFL insider Aaron Wilson through the league’s transactions log.
Whereas we don’t all the time move alongside issues as routine as visits, it’s notable as a sign of Welschof’s well being from a knee damage that ended his stint in Pittsburgh. Wilson’s tweet notes it as a “go to” as an alternative of a “exercise,” that means that Welschof is probably not absolutely cleared for soccer exercise. Nevertheless it’s a suggestion he’s getting shut, and the Lions could also be evaluating him medically.
Undrafted in 2024, Welschof signed with the Steelers in April. A global exemption participant who didn’t rely in opposition to the crew’s 90-man roster, he was born in Germany and grew up there earlier than transferring to america as a young person. He spent 5 years at Michigan primarily taking part in on particular groups, recording 25 tackles and one sack with the Wolverines. Welschof transferred to Charlotte for 2023 however suffered a shoulder damage 4 video games in, ending his season with simply 4 stops.
Excessive-cut and a bit uncooked, he labored as an out of doors linebacker with the Steelers. Regardless of his limitations, Welschof loved a stable preseason. He set the sting in opposition to the run and made affect performs as a move rusher, ending second on the crew with three preseason sacks. They weren’t all high-quality, however he confirmed the power to complete performs and wrestle the quarterback down.
Considered as a surefire guess to be saved on the observe squad because of his worldwide exemption, Welschof injured his knee within the preseason finale in opposition to the Detroit Lions.
The crew positioned him on IR throughout roster cutdowns earlier than releasing him with an damage settlement days later. Now, he’s making an attempt to get again onto an NFL roster and would presumably nonetheless carry his exemption.
Pittsburgh crammed his worldwide spot by signing English DB Ayo Oyelola on Sept. 2. Expanded NFL guidelines permit exempt gamers to be promoted to the 53-man roster however would come at the price of ripping up their exemption and being unable to make use of it once more, handled like a “common” participant for the long run.
Oyelola is prone to stay on the observe squad the remainder of the season and try to signal a Reserve/Futures contract within the offseason. Welschof will goal to do the identical.
