Steelers Add Kana’i Mauga to Practice Squad, Open Practice Window for Rookie Donte Kent
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a pair of roster moves this week, adding depth and keeping an eye on future contributions. On Wednesday, the team signed linebacker Kana’i Mauga to the practice squad, filling the spot vacated by cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who was elevated to the 53-man roster on Tuesday.
Mauga’s addition brings experience and special teams value to Pittsburgh’s depth chart. Most recently with the Los Angeles Chargers, Mauga was released back in October after signing with the team in May. Before that, he spent time with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft, eventually landing on the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad later that season.
Over two years in Las Vegas, Mauga carved out a role primarily on special teams. He saw action in five games in 2023 and 12 games in 2024, totaling six tackles across 17 appearances. While the stat sheet doesn’t jump off the page, his consistent presence on special teams shows he knows how to contribute in the margins - an area where the Steelers have always valued grit and discipline.
Mauga’s football journey traces back to USC, where he was a steady force for the Trojans. Over four seasons, he appeared in 43 games and started 24 of them, racking up 207 tackles, including 106 solo stops. He added 16.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and three interceptions - a testament to his ability to read plays and make things happen at all three levels of the defense.
Born and raised in Waiʻanae, Hawaii, Mauga brings a bit of island pride to the Steel City. He joins a growing group of Hawaiian-born players in Pittsburgh, including outside linebacker Nick Herbig, left guard Isaac Seumalo, and wide receiver Roman Wilson. That’s a strong cultural connection in the locker room, and for Mauga, it could make the transition to his new team a little smoother.
Before his college days, Mauga starred at Waianae High School, where he was named Hawaii’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. That season, he notched 52.5 tackles and returned three turnovers for touchdowns - showing early signs of the playmaking instincts that earned him a four-star recruiting grade and top billing among Hawaii’s linebacker prospects.
In addition to Mauga’s signing, the Steelers also opened the 21-day practice window for rookie cornerback and kickoff returner Donte Kent. That’s a notable step in his recovery and could signal that he’s nearing a return to game action. Kent’s potential impact on special teams and in the secondary is something the Steelers will be monitoring closely as they head into a critical stretch of the season.
With Mauga in the fold and Kent potentially on the way back, Pittsburgh continues to build out the depth and versatility that’s long been a hallmark of the franchise. These aren’t headline-grabbing moves, but they’re the kind that can pay dividends when injuries pile up and games tighten down the stretch.