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Steelers Sign Gritty Linebacker ‘Workhorse’ with 52 Career Games and 44 Tackles to Practice Squad After Robinson Exit

Neuqua Valley graduate Jon Rhattigan, recovering from a torn ACL, is  excited about Year 2 with Seattle Seahawks: 'I've done it before.' –  Chicago Tribune

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers didn’t waste time filling a void in their linebacker room. After Mark Robinson’s surprising move to the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh turned to a name forged in grit: Jon Rhattigan, a workhorse linebacker who has fought for every snap of his NFL career.

At 26, Rhattigan carries the discipline of his Army roots into the league. Undrafted in 2021, he carved out a reputation with the Seattle Seahawks before earning a role in Carolina last season. There, he played in all 17 games, making 12 tackles on special teams — the type of production that rarely makes headlines but wins respect inside locker rooms.

Over four seasons, Rhattigan has appeared in 52 games with 44 total tackles, proof that toughness and persistence can outlast raw measurables. At his pro day, he ran a modest 4.77 in the 40-yard dash, but what he lacked in speed he has always made up for with physicality and instincts.

For Pittsburgh, the signing is less about flash and more about continuity. The linebacker room has been reshuffled, and Robinson’s exit left the practice squad thin. Rhattigan arrives as a steadying force — a grinder who embraces special teams, fills gaps, and does the dirty work the way Steelers fans demand.

As one fan put it on X: “Not a star, but a worker — exactly what the Steelers need.” That line could just as well be a chapter in the team’s playbook.

This isn’t just insurance. It’s another nod to the franchise’s enduring values: toughness, reliability, and the next-man-up mentality. The Steelers know highlight reels don’t win January football. Workers like Rhattigan do.

With his arrival, Pittsburgh reinforces its defense with a player who mirrors the city’s own identity — blue-collar, disciplined, and relentless.

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Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”