Spence totaled eight tackles (five solo) including a sack in the Steelers' 23-20 overtime loss to Baltimore on Thursday.

The sack was the first of the season for Spence, and one of five on the night for the Steelers. As a unit, Pittsburgh is averaging three-and-a-half sacks per game, compared to just two per game in 2014.

Spence recorded two tackles (one solo) including a sack in Pittsburgh's 30-17 Wild Card loss to Baltimore on Saturday.

After failing to collect a sack through the first 16 weeks of the season, Spence had two in the past two games. If given the opportunity for an expanded role next season, he could help the Steelers' defense, which ranked 26th in the league with just 33 sacks in 2014.

Spence totaled four tackles (two solo) including a sack in Pittsburgh's 27-17 win over Cincinnati on Sunday night.

Finally given an opportunity to play since being drafted in 2012, Spence recorded 53 tackles including the sack and a fumble recovery. The Steelers are solid at linebacker, but if James Harrison decides to retire again it could create an opportunity for Spence next season.

Spence, who started the previous four games, played just one snap Sunday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Moving forward, the Steelers are expected to utilize a rotation of linebackers, including Spence, Vince Williams, Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier (knee), designed to ease the latter back from the injury that kept him out of action since Week 3. As a result, fantasy owners may wish to look for other options at linebacker in IDP leagues.

Spence recorded six tackles (five solo) and a fumble recovery in the Steelers' 30-23 win against Houston on Monday night.

The fumble recovery was part of a 73-second stretch late in the first half that moved the Steelers from down 10 to an 11-point lead.

Spence collected four tackles (all solo) against Carolina on Sunday.

If Ryan Shazier (knee) misses any significant playing time, Spence could see an increase in defensive snaps. Shazier is being evaluated on Monday, so we will have to take a wait-and-see approach for Pittsburgh's Week 4 game against the Buccaneers.

Spence (knee) is not listed among the Steelers' inactives in advance of Sunday's regular season opener versus the Browns.

Spence will make his NFL debut Sunday, after enduring numerous injuries since being a third round pick in 2012. Rookie first-rounder Ryan Shazier is slated to start at inside linebacker next to Lawrence Timmons, but Spence being active could allow him to spell Shazier here and there.

Spence (knee) is probable for Sunday's game against Cleveland.

It's good to see that Spence's latest knee injury didn't turn out to be serious, as he's had more than his fair share of bad injury luck already in his career. Although he won't be a featured player in the Steelers defense with Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier ahead of him, Spence should be a good depth piece if the Steelers choose to rotate their linebackers at all.

Coach Mike Tomlin indicated that Spence suffered a PCL injury in Thursday's preseason game against the Eagles.

Spence left Thursday's preseason game with an injury and now the cause has been revealed. The extent of the knee issue is still a bit cloudy, but it wouldn't be surprising if it makes him miss some time in the regular season. The 2012 third-round pick hasn't played in a game yet for the Steelers, suffering an ACL and LCL tear in training camp that caused him to miss each of the last two seasons. Spence's NFL debut may be pushed back again with his most recent setback.

Spence will not return to Thursday's exhibition game due to a right knee injury, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Spence's comeback effort will be temporarily derailed for the moment, but look for the Eagles to update his status later in the week. He's competing for a roster spot as a reserve inside linebacker, and any kind of serious injury could certainly have a detrimental effect on this effort. The good news is that it's not the same knee that he tore three ligaments in over two years ago.

Spence played his first football game in two years, combining for three tackles in the Steelers' preseason opener against the Giants, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "Words can't really explain it," said Spence. "Emotions were running very high. It's a blessing to be back on the field, with my teammates, doing what I love."

Spence is trying to return from three torn knee ligaments, a dislocated kneecap and damage to the peroneal nerve, suffered in the 2012 preseason. Spence is competing with Vince Williams to back-up inside linebackers Lawrence Timmons and first-round draft pick Ryan Shazier.

Steelers ILB Sean Spence (knee) has been fully cleared and will participate in OTAs.

"He's healthy and working," said coach Mike Tomlin. "So we can't wait to watch him take the next step in this process, which is play football. He's been given a clean bill of health." Spence suffered a gruesome knee injury in the 2012 preseason and has yet to play a down for the Steelers. His return would be a bonus.

Steelers ILB Sean Spence (knee) is "significantly ahead" of where the team thought he would be at this point.

Spence wrecked his knee in the 2012 preseason. Among other things, he damaged the peroneal nerve in the knee. It caused a lack of movement and sensation in the foot and leg. The nerve has apparently regenerated, and Spence might be able to contribute in 2014. He could help fill in next to ILB Lawrence Timmons.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said ILB Sean Spence (knee) had "one great day of practice" toward the end of last season, which gives the team hope he may play again.

Spence shredded his knee nearly as much as humanly possible in the 2012 preseason, tearing his ACL and LCL, dislocating his kneecap and damaging the peroneal nerve in his leg. He practiced for three weeks at the end of this past season while on PUP but was eventually sent to I.R. The Steelers expect him to participate this spring and summer. Spence's career is still in serious doubt.

Steelers placed ILB Sean Spence on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending his season.

Spence tore his ACL and LCL, dislocated his kneecap, and damaged the peroneal nerve in his leg in the 2012 preseason. He started the season on reserve/PUP and began practicing three weeks ago. The window to activate Spence closed and he's now being placed on I.R. He may never play football again.

Steelers ILB Sean Spence (PUP, knee) resumed practicing Wednesday.

It was Spence's first practice since the gruesome injury he sustained during the 2012 preseason. He tore his ACL and LCL, dislocated his kneecap and damaged the peroneal nerve in his leg. It was questionable whether Spence would ever play football again. The Steelers now have three weeks to decide whether to keep him on their active roster.

Steelers placed LB Sean Spence on the reserve/PUP list.

Spence tore his ACL, LCL, and dislocated his knee during the 2012 preseason. The Steelers initially feared the injury would end Spence's career, but he's "hopeful" about a 2013 late-season return. Spence was the 86th overall pick in last year's draft. He had starting-caliber potential before going down.

Steelers ILB Sean Spence (knee surgery) hopes to play in 2013, but isn't targeting a specific timeframe.

The Steelers are operating as if Spence won't play in 2013. "I know a lot of people have not been able to come back after damage like that, but I'm going to see if I can be one of the only ones," Spence said of the torn ACL, torn LCL and dislocated knee he suffered last preseason. "Actually, I know that I'm going to beat the odds. I'm not really worried about that." Despite his optimism, it's unlikely Spence suits up this season, making 2014 a make-or-break year for the 2012 third-rounder.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin disputed LBs coach Keith Butler's assessment, and expects ILB Sean Spence to make "a complete recovery."

Spence is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL, a dislocated knee, and nerve damage behind the knee. He'll spend 2013 on injured reserve, and will try to come back in 2014.

Steelers LBs coach Keith Butler says it would be "miraculous" if 2012 third-round pick Sean Spence played football again.

Spence destroyed his left knee last preseason, tearing his ACL and LCL, dislocating the knee, and suffering a damaged nerve behind the knee. GM Kevin Colbert previously called it an "unknown injury" in the sport. The Steelers do plan to carry Spence on a reserve list in 2013 to see if he can contribute by 2014.