As part of the effort to decrease their roster from 80 players to 75, the Pittsburgh Steelers shifted offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton from the active roster to injured reserve, ending his season.
Stapleton had arthroscopic knee surgery in early August, amid rumors he might not be able to play at all this year.
He started 12 regular-season games last season, and every postseason game.
Since Stapleton has only three years of service, placing him on injured reserve before the first wave of roster cuts would have required the Steelers to expose him to waivers, and someone else likely would have snatched him.
For the other four roster moves, the Steelers also released receiver Steven Black, receiver Martin Nance, safety Derrick Richardson, and center Alex Stepanovich.