Steelers notebook: Sean Spence signed to address lack of depth at linebacker

In the wake of injuries to inside linebackers Ryan Shazier and Tyler Matakevich, the Steelers on Tuesday signed linebacker Sean Spence.

Spence was the team's third-round draft pick in 2012 who missed his first two NFL seasons because of a knee injury. Spence appeared in 31 games with the Steelers in the 2014 and ‘15 seasons and spent last year with the Tennessee Titans.

Spence signed with the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason but was released Oct. 3.

The Steelers are expected to make corresponding roster moves Wednesday.

With Shazier and Matakevich injured in the Steelers' 23-20 win Monday night over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers finished the game with third-stringer and special teamer L.J. Fort playing at inside linebacker alongside starter Vince Williams.

Brown is OK

Coach Mike Tomlin said “to his knowledge” wideout Antonio Brown was not injured by Bengals safety George Iloka's hit to the head in the end zone, a collision that earned Iloka a one-game suspension. But Tomlin again stressed he hadn't inquired about players other than Shazier and Matakevich.

Brown was listed as questionable for Monday's game after missing practice with a toe injury, but he finished with eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.

He scored the tying touchdown with 3 minutes, 51 seconds left on a 6-yard reception. He held on despite Iloka's hit.

“He did an awesome job of trusting our medical people to take himself through the process of preparation,” Tomlin said, “and then ultimately going out there and playing at a high level on a limited number of physical opportunities in prep. Antonio is a guy who really finds his comfort zone in physical work. So I want to underscore what he was able to do.”