The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without one of their defensive linemen for the 2019 season. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Lavon Hooks tore his Achilles and will be out for the entire year.

The Steelers defensive tackle suffered the injury during practice on Wednesday. Hooks was competing for a roster spot and was working strenuously to earn a role on the team. Through two preseason games, Hooks was able to get one tackle with the team.

Hooks began his career with the Green Bay Packers in 2015. The interior defensive lineman was an undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss and ended up not making the roster cut with Green Bay.

In February of 2016, the Steelers took a chance with Hooks and signed him to their roster. Since then, Hooks has spent time on Pittsburgh's practice squad. However, the defensive tackle has yet to suit up in a regular-season game for a team.

The Steelers are loaded along the defensive line with Cameron Heyward, Javon Hargrave, and Stephon Tuitt being the starters. Nonetheless, Hooks was on his way to being the immediate backup to Heyward on the defensive front.

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As a result of his injury, the team waived him after signing him to a reserve/futures contract in 2016. In a corresponding move, Pittsburgh signed outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott.

Before joining the Steelers, Elliott spent a few seasons with the Green Bay Packers and one season with the Dallas Cowboys. Most recently, the veteran outside linebacker suited up in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football league.