Daniel Ekuale was already out for the season, but now the Steelers defensive tackle will have to forego a paycheck over the next five weeks. That’s because Ekuale was slapped with a five-game suspension today, per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
[RELATED: Steelers DL Daniel Ekuale Suffers ACL Tear]
Ekuale earned his temporary ban for violating the league’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, per Dulac. This represents the third suspension of the player’s career; Ekuale earned a four-game ban in 2018 and a two-game suspension in 2022 for the same violation.
The Washington State product bounced around the NFL a bit to begin his career before finding a home in New England. He spent four seasons with the Patriots, but he didn’t emerge as a key player until 2024. Ekuale finished that season having started all 16 of his appearance, with the defensive lineman setting career-highs in tackles (52) and QB hits (three). In 64 career games, the 31-year-old has collected 97 stops and six sacks.
His performance with the Patriots earned him a one-year, $2.8MM deal from the Steelers this past offseason. He got into seven games with his new squad, appearing in about 14 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Ekuale suffered a torn ACL back in Week 8 that ended his season prematurely. Considering that injury and his continued bans from the league office, the defensive lineman may face an uphill battle to find a job in 2026.
5 games is strange amount for a 3rd steroids violation. I would have assumed 8-9 if not a full season.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but in MLB, isn’t it half season, full season and then forever? I agree, 5 games seems light for a third time offender.
I looked it up & you’re correct about how MLB handles them.
I’m sorry three times should be a season at the minimum let alone like the MLB which is permanent
Not a good return on investment for a whopping 14% snap count thus far considering a repeat offender. Madden strength rating may be higher than average, but that awareness one must be a hurting pup.