The NFL on Wednesday placed Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo on the Reserve/Commissioner's Exempt List following his arrest last weekend in Fayette County in a domestic assault incident.
Linebacker Jayrone Elliott was added to the 53-man roster to replace Chickillo. Elliott had been released by the team two weeks ago to make room for quarterback Paxton Lynch and running back Trey Edmunds.
Chickillo, 26, was arrested early Sunday after state police responded to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, where Chickillo and girlfriend Alysha Newman, a pole vaulter on the Canadian national team, had an altercation in which he grabbed and pushed her to the ground.
He was released on $10,000 bail after being charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and criminal mischief, as well as a summary offense of harassment.
The Steelers told Chickillo to stay away from the team's facility Monday when they returned to practice following their bye weekend and GM Kevin Colbert released this statement: "In regard to the recent incident involving Anthony Chickillo, we will continue to gather information, and we will fully cooperate with the NFL’s investigation. Any discipline involving the player will be determined after the gathering of further information from law enforcement and the League Office."
A fifth-year linebacker out of Miami, Chickillo has appeared in 57 career games with the Steelers, including three this season. He has been the team's primary backup to starters T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree the past few seasons.
The Steelers signed him to a two-year, $8-million contract extension in the offseason.
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