Steelers release Alameda Ta'amu month after embarrassing incident

Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

It appears Alameda Ta'amu may finish with more arrests than snaps played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The team released the rookie nose tackle Monday, just hours before playing the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field, and promoted wide receiver David Gilreath from the practice squad.

Given the ankle injury Pro Bowl wideout/returner Antonio Brown is dealing with, the move can be interpreted as necessary and tactical, especially since veterans Casey Hampton and Steve McLendon are capably manning the nose. The 6-3, 348-pound Ta'amu, who was considered a project, had yet to play in a game.

But Ta'amu, a fourth-round pick last spring who was viewed as Hampton's eventual successor, certainly fell out of favor after leading police on a drunken chase by vehicle and foot through the streets of Pittsburgh last month. He was charged with felony fleeing police, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault by vehicle and suspended by the team for two weeks before being reinstated Oct. 30.

He could still be re-signed or added to the practice squad if another club doesn't claim him, but the fact the Steelers would even expose Ta'amu to the competition is a strong indication of their feelings.