The Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins over the weekend. But the Steelers still found secondary a need Wednesday. To fill that need, the team has brought in veteran defensive back Israel Mukuamu.
The Aura Sports Instagram account announced the Mukuamu signing for the Steelers Wednesday night.
Mukuamu started his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys picked the defensive back at No. 227 overall in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
In four seasons with Dallas, Mukuamu posted 42 combined tackles, four pass defenses and three interceptions in 50 games. He started three of those contests.
During the 2021 NFL Draft process, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department raved about Mukuamu’s size and versatility.
“Excellent length and size. Great matchup versus bigger receivers and tight ends,” BR wrote on Mukuamu. “Ball skills to track and play ball in the air.
“Has shown to play multiple positions, from safety to cornerback.”
Last season, Mukuamu was with the Carolina Panthers practice squad.
The Panthers released Mukuamu on November 18 last year. The Steelers will be his first NFL opportunity since then.
Steelers Sign Defensive Back Israel Mukuamu: Report
GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive back Israel Mukuamu according to The Aura Sports.
The Steelers are dealing with multiple injuries in their secondary this training camp. Most notably, Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey are each on the PUP list.
Ramsey played cornerback early in his first season with the Steelers last year. He finished the season, though, lining up at safety a lot.
With Ramsey currently sidelined, it makes sense the Steelers would add another defensive back capable of playing both positions.
In 2024, Mukuamu was everywhere for Dallas. He played 92 snaps at slot cornerback and 41 snaps outside. Mukuamu also lined up for 38 snaps at box safety and another 14 snaps at free safety.
That versatility could serve the Steelers well with their most versatile defensive back sidelined at the moment along with Porter.
Mukuamu appeared in one game for the Panthers last season. In that contest, he played 11 special teams snaps. Mukuamu didn’t get a snap on defense.
Steelers Defensive Back Depth at 2026 NFL Training Camp
GettyCornerback Jamel Dean will start for the Pittsburgh Steelers this fall.
It will be interesting to see where the Steelers list Mukuamu on their official depth chart once they add him. On Wednesday, the team released its first depth chart, which was pretty full in the secondary.
Despite their injuries, Porter and Ramsey were still listed as starters. Besides them, the chart included 17 other defensive backs not including Mukuamu.
DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker were the team’s starting safeties while Jamel Dean was also a starter at outside cornerback (Ramsey was listed as the nickel).
Besides the starters, Asante Samuel Jr., Brandin Echols and Daylen Everette are the closest locks for roster spots in the Pittsburgh secondary. But from Day 3 rookie Robert Spears-Jennings to newly signed Rayshawn Jenkins, the Steelers have quite a few intriguing defensive backs.
Mukuamu will now enter the mix. He’s a late training camp arrival, but he will have all three preseason games to prove he’s worthy of a roster spot before Week 1.
In his most recent full season, he had 19 combined tackles, two pass defenses and two interceptions over 17 games.
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