Allen will start at strong safety against the Patriots on Thursday, according to the Washington Observer-Reporter.

EDGE Analysis

Previously expected to fill a depth role, the 33-year-old Allen has been thrust into a starting job, as the Steelers were displeased with Shamarko Thomas' performance during training camp and the preseason. Allen's never been a strong IDP producer, but it's worth noting that he's spent nearly all of his career at cornerback or free safety. Of course, even with the expectation of added tackle opportunities at strong safety, it's hard to buy into a player who has only topped 50 tackles once in a 12-year career.

Allen re-signed with the Steelers on Friday, ESPN reports. Allen's return to Pittsburgh comes after former teammate and safety Troy Polamalu announced his retirement this week. Although his role will likely be a reserve one, Allen provides nice veteran experience to the Steelers' secondary.

Allen recorded seven tackles (six solo) in Pittsburgh's 27-17 win over Cincinnati on Sunday night. The 11-year veteran played in all 16 games and totaled 36 tackles for his best season since 2006 with the Buccaneers.

Steelers re-signed S Will Allen.

Steelers signed S Will Allen. Allen, 31, will be depth behind Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu. He'll slide in seamlessly after appearing in 46 games for the Steelers between 2010-12. Allen, who signed for the prorated veteran's minimum ($630,000) can also help on special teams.

Free agent S Will Allen was at the Steelers' facility Wednesday. Allen, 31, was released by the Cowboys on Tuesday. He played for the Steelers from 2010-12, appearing in 46 games. It's unclear if Allen was working out for the team, but the Steelers could use some depth behind Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu. Allen lost his starting job in Dallas to rookie J.J. Wilcox.

Cowboys released S Will Allen. The 10-year veteran started in Weeks 1 and 2, but was benched for Week 3. He signed a one-year, $905,000 contract in March. Allen wasn't the reason Monte Kiffin's defense got off to such a horrific start, but he certainly wasn't helping matters. He'll look to latch on elsewhere as a deep reserve/special teamer.

Journeyman/special teamer Will Allen opened Cowboys training camp as the starting strong safety. Your Cowboys starting safeties are Allen and Barry Church, who's coming off a torn Achilles'. It's a huge weakness for a defense that figures to play an awful lot of two-deep safety looks under Tampa 2 guru Monte Kiffin. They still drafted middle-round projected pick Travis Frederick at No. 31 overall, with Johnathan Cyprien and Matt Elam on the board. The Jags and Ravens are grateful.

ESPN Dallas considers Will Allen the favorite to be the Cowboys' starting free safety. Allen, 31 on Monday, signed a one-year deal in March, and he has 33 career starts under his belt through nine seasons. The veteran will face competition from second-year S Matt Johnson, but Johnson wasn't overly impressive in OTAs and minicamp. Barry Church has a firm grip on the strong safety spot.

Cowboys agreed to terms with S Will Allen, formerly of the Steelers. The Cowboys have their veteran safety, and it isn't Michael Huff. Allen, who started seven games a year ago while filling in for an injured Troy Polamalu, will at least push Matt Johnson for the starting strong safety job. Johnson missed his entire rookie year due to hamstring injuries while Allen has 130 games of NFL experience.