The Steelers are doing their homework-and doing it thoroughly. After meeting with 10 players on Tuesday, Pittsburgh continued its search for edge help on Wednesday, working out four more outside linebackers: Ronnie Perkins, Isaiah Thomas, Casey Toohill, and Oshane Ximines.
This kind of midweek activity isn’t just about building a deeper practice squad. It’s a clear signal the team is preparing for potential absences in its pass-rushing rotation.
With Week 16 looming and the Lions on deck, the availability of T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig is suddenly in question-and Pittsburgh’s front office is moving proactively.
Let’s break down the four edge rushers who got a look.
Ronnie Perkins brings a strong draft pedigree to the mix. A third-round pick by the Patriots in 2021, Perkins has bounced around the league and most recently spent time on the Falcons’ practice squad.
His on-field NFL experience is limited-just seven games, all with Denver in 2023-but he made the most of that stint, tallying 13 tackles and two tackles for loss. At 6'3" and 253 pounds, he’s got the frame for the position, and his 4.73 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) out of college shows decent athleticism, though not elite.
Perkins is still more potential than proven production, but the flashes are there.
Isaiah Thomas, a 2022 seventh-rounder by the Browns, has had a quieter NFL journey so far. He was most recently with the Bengals’ practice squad and has suited up for 12 games in his career.
His stat sheet includes 12 tackles and one sack. At 6'5", 272 pounds, Thomas has the size to hold up on the edge, and his 9.1 RAS from his draft year suggests he’s got the tools.
He’s still raw, but there’s a moldable skill set here.
Casey Toohill is the most experienced of the group and arguably the most NFL-ready. A seventh-round pick by the Eagles in 2020, Toohill has logged 71 career games and 15 starts, including eight starts last season with Washington.
In 2023, he recorded 26 tackles and five sacks-numbers that show he can contribute in a rotational role. At 6'5", 250 pounds with a standout 9.69 RAS, Toohill brings a blend of size, smarts, and athleticism.
He’s not a star, but he’s a plug-and-play option if Pittsburgh needs someone to step in immediately.
Oshane Ximines rounds out the group with a mix of early promise and recent inconsistency. A third-round pick by the Giants in 2019, Ximines had a strong rookie campaign with 4.5 sacks but hasn’t been able to replicate that production in the years since-adding just two more sacks over the next five seasons.
He spent 2024 with the Patriots after a long stint in New York. In total, he’s played in 50 games with nine starts.
At 6'4", 254 pounds and a 7.02 RAS, Ximines has the physical traits, but the production hasn’t followed. Still, for a team looking for veteran depth, he’s a name worth keeping in the mix.
The common thread among all four players? They’re experienced enough to step in if needed, but young enough to still have upside.
And while none of them are expected to replicate what T.J. Watt brings to the field-because, let’s face it, no one can-they offer varying degrees of insurance should Watt or Herbig be sidelined.
The Steelers have built their identity around defense, and they know better than most how quickly injuries can test that foundation. Wednesday’s workouts weren’t just routine-they were a clear indication that Pittsburgh is preparing for a critical late-season matchup without two of its key edge rushers. The Lions are no joke, and if Watt and Herbig can’t go, someone else will need to bring the heat.