"Veteran offensive lineman Trai Essex returned to the Steelers on Tuesday and revealed that he came close to eating himself out of football.

Essex, the last of the Steelers' unrestricted free agents to sign with a team, said he dropped a "significant amount" of weight before signing a one-year contract.

The 6-foot-5 Essex, who is listed at 324 pounds, did not give a specific figure as to how much weight he had lost.

"A couple of newborn babies," Essex said.

Essex said the Steelers realized how much bigger he had gotten when he attended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's wedding in late July.

"They see there's a huge different between now and then," Essex said. "I had to take a look at myself and realize that if I want to play this game, I'm going to be in shape," Essex said. "I had to change my diet. No eating at night, no McDonald's, no Burger King."

Essex, who has started 25 games during his six-year career, is versatile enough to play tackle or guard.

For at least the short term, Essex figures to add depth at left tackle with starter Jonathan Scott sidelined with a minor knee injury.

"They know what I'm capable of," Essex said of the coaches, "so they know what position to put me in to excel.""