IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Tue 11/25/25 4:04 PM

The NFL suspended Ekuale five games Tuesday for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ekuale is already out for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL last month, so he'll just serve the ban while sitting on injured reserve. The 31-year-old defensive lineman appeared in seven games this season, producing six tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup on 72 defensive snaps.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Fri 10/31/25 12:02 PM

The Steelers placed Ekuale (knee) on injured reserve Friday.
EDGE Analysis
Ekuale's season is over after he suffered a torn ACL in last Sunday night's loss to the Packers. Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black will see the bulk of the nose-tackle snaps for Pittsburgh. Prior to his injury, Ekuale logged six tackles (four solo) and one pass breakup on 14 percent of the Steelers' defensive snaps.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Mon 10/27/25 5:43 PM

Ekuale tore his ACL during the Steelers' 35-25 loss to the Packers on Sunday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ekuale sustained the injury in the first quarter, and further tests revealed a torn ACL that will sideline the veteran defensive tackle for the rest of the 2025 season, and it could impact his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign. The Steelers could look to add depth to their defensive line via trade, free agency, the waiver wire or the practice squad, but rookie fifth-rounder Yahya Black could also see a significant uptick in defensive snaps. Ekuale will finish the 2025 regular season with six tackles (four solo) and one pass defense over seven games.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Sun 10/26/25 9:33 PM

Ekuale (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday night's contest against Green Bay.
EDGE Analysis
Ekuale suffered a knee injury in the first quarter, and he will now be forced to sit out the rest of the game. In his absence, Yahya Black and Esezi Otomewo stand to operate in more significant roles on the defensive line versus the Packers.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Sun 10/26/25 9:29 PM

Ekuale is doubtful to return to Sunday night's matchup with the Packers due to a knee injury, Burt Lauten of the Steelers' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
The defensive tackle did not record a stat before exiting the contest. Ekuale did not play more than 20 defensive snaps in any of the Steelers' first six games before Sunday night. Yahya Black and Esezi Otomewo are the extra defensive linemen available for Pittsburgh against Green Bay.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Sun 3/16/25 9:32 PM

Ekuale and the Steelers have agreed on a contract, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ekuale will head to Pittsburgh after spending the last two seasons with the Patriots, most recently compiling a career-high 52 total tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 16 regular-season games in 2024. The defensive tackle will likely operate as a depth piece behind Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton in 2025.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Wed 1/15/25 4:36 PM

Ekuale recorded 52 total tackles (24 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over 16 games in 2024.
EDGE Analysis
The 31-year-old defensive lineman had the most productive season of his career with New England in 2024, surpassing his previous career high in total tackles by 38. Ekuale also played more than double his previous high for defensive snaps in a season (344 to 693), appearing in all but one of the Patriots' games. He's now set to hit unrestricted free agency after completing the final season of a two-year, $3.4 million deal with New England. Ekuale is expected to be an attractive target on the free-agent market for teams seeking interior defensive line help this offseason.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Fri 11/22/24 11:20 PM

Ekuale (elbow) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Miami.
EDGE Analysis
Ekuale started the week with consecutive limited practices, but he finished strong with a full session Friday and will suit up for Sunday's AFC East clash. Ekuale has logged 13 tackles (five solo) over his last three outings since returning from a one-game absence due to an abdomen injury.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Wed 11/20/24 4:48 PM

Ekuale was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to an elbow injury, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ekuale appears to have sustained an elbow injury in the Patriots' Week 11 loss to the Rams, despite playing 40 total snaps (33 defensive and seven on special teams) and recording five total tackles. If the 29-year-old is unable to play through the issue in Sunday's divisional matchup against the Dolphins, expect Jeremiah Pharms to see additional work as one of the Patriots' top backup defensive ends.

IRDaniel Ekuale
IL/DT PIT (5)
Sun 11/10/24 11:45 AM

Ekuale (abdomen) is absent from the Patriots' inactive list for Sunday's game against the Bears.
EDGE Analysis
After missing the Patriots' Week 8 win over the Jets due to an abdominal injury, he was able to play through the issue against the Titans in Week 9. He opened the week with back-to-back limited practices but was upgraded to a full participant Friday, and the 30-year-old will suit up for Sunday's contest. Ekuale has logged a career-high 30 tackles (15 solo), including 1.0 sacks, over eight regular-season games.