Steelers promote Kevin Rader from the practice squad for Week 9 against Chicago

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to close out the first half of the 2021 NFL season with the final game of Week 9 as they host the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football at Heinz Field. Ahead of the game, the Steelers have promoted tight end Kevin Rader from the practice squad.

For the second-straight week, tight end Eric Ebron was ruled out due to injury. Last week, the Steelers chose to go with one less tight end. But for Week 9, the Steelers are elevating Rader from the practice squad to fill out their typical three tight ends on the roster.

Undrafted out of Youngstown State, Rader was on and off the Steelers practice squad in 2019 before settling in for the 2020. Seeing his first NFL action in the final game of the season against the Cleveland Browns, Rader made enough of an impression on special teams to be elevated for the Steelers playoff game as well.

With 54 players on the roster for Monday night, the Steelers will have six players inactive for the game. Choosing to go with an extra running back last week in place of a tight end, it will be interesting to see if the Steelers have one of their rushers inactive or if they go with a different position. The inactive list for Week 9 will be released at approximately 6:45 PM ET.

Per NFL rules adopted starting in the 2020 season, Rader will revert back to the Steelers practice squad at 4 PM the next day without having to go through waivers.

Stay tuned to Behind The Steel Curtain for continued coverage as the Steelers take on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football at Heinz Field.