Russell Wilson hints he’s signing with the Steelers

Russell Wilson plans to sign with the Steelers.

It looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers have their new quarterback. Former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson sent out the Tweet below hinting in a not-so-subtle fashion that he plans to sign with the Steelers for his 13th NFL season when free agency begins.

According to multiple reports, Wilson is planning to sign a one-year contract with Pittsburgh and will compete with Kenny Pickett for the starting quarterback job. Wilson met with the Steelers over the weekend and by all accounts the visit went well.

Quarterback was the weak link in the Steelers offense last season. Pickett struggled all season until an injury sidelined and it wasn’t until Mason Rudolph took over the starting job that the offense started to move. Now, Pittsburgh hopes Wilson can make better use of the weapons the Steelers have along with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and help the Steelers break their playoff win drought.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers sign Brad Wing to practice squad

The Steelers welcomed back P Brad Wing.

We’ve seen first-hand how poor punting can affect a game and the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be taking no chances with Pressley Harvin III.

The team announced this morning that they’ve signed veteran punter Brad Wing to their practice squad. It signals a lack of faith in Harvin and for good reason. He’s one of the worst punters in the league, averaging just 43.4 yards per attempt.

Wing was with Pittsburgh earlier this season when Harvin was dealing with a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, he wasn’t an adequate substitute. He had 11 punts in Weeks 4 and 5, averaging 45 yards per attempt. He has two touchbacks, three punts inside the 20-yard line and a long of 52 yards.

Wing played for Pittsburgh in 2014, punting 61 times for 2,668 yards. Per Steelers.com, he landed 20 attempts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

To make room for Wing, the Steelers released quarterback Trace McSorley on Tuesday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers sign David Perales to practice squad

A familiar name is back after the Steelers signed LB David Perales to their practice squad on Tuesday.

A familiar name is back after the Pittsburgh Steelers signed linebacker David Perales to their practice squad on Tuesday.

The rookie out of Fresno State was signed as an undrafted free agent last April but was cut in August as the team trimmed their roster to the mandated 53 players. Perales has been on and off the practice squad since his release.

He’ll join Markus Golden, Nick Herbig and Kyron Johnson as the only depth outside linebackers currently on the roster. The unit, along with Alex Highsmith, will have a tall task defending Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills without T.J. Watt in the lineup.

To make room for Perales, the Steelers released safety Nate Meadors.

Perales played 100 preseason snaps, recording four tackles and a quarterback hurry.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Pittsburgh Steelers sign ex-Cowboys 2nd-round LB Jaylon Smith

Journeyman linebacker Jaylon Smith has found himself another home — his fourth in three seasons — with the Steelers.

Journeyman linebacker Jaylon Smith has found himself another home — his fourth in three seasons — with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His agent, Doug Hendrickson, was the first to announce the news.

The former second-round pick, drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2016, most recently appeared in a single Week 9 game for the Las Vegas Raiders. Prior to the Raiders, he spent time with the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and New York Giants.

Smith signs at a time when Pittsburgh is terribly thin at linebacker. They’ve had to rebuild completely after what was once a solid unit first came crashing down with a knee injury to Cole Holcomb, quickly followed by Kwon Alexander and, most recently, Elandon Roberts.

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that Smith, 28, will start on the practice squad. He joins rostered linebackers Myles Jack, Mykal Walker and Blake Martinez.

In nine seasons, the Pro Bowler recorded 626 tackles (24 for loss), 11 sacks, six fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers re-sign RB Anthony McFarland to practice squad

And, just like that, Anthony McFarland is back.

Almost as quickly as he left, Anthony McFarland is back. The Pittsburgh Steelers released the veteran running back on Thursday and, per NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, re-signed him to the practice squad yesterday.

Cutting McFarland was the most obvious move when Pittsburgh needed to make room to suit up linebacker Kyron Johnson for the Cincinnati Bengals game. He’d been inactive for four games after playing in two upon his return from injured reserve.

This season, McFarland has two catches for 11 yards and returned six kickoffs for 164 yards.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers release veteran RB Anthony McFarland Jr.

The Steelers released Anthony McFarland this afternoon.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced the release of veteran running back Anthony McFarland Jr. this afternoon.

McFarland never blossomed into the player the Steelers hoped when they drafted him in the 4th round of the 2020 NFL draft.

He landed on injured reserve after Pittsburgh’s Week 1 loss to the San Fransisco 49ers and has played in just three games this season.

McFarland has been a healthy scratch the past four games in favor of returner Godwin Igwebuike, whom the team signed off the Falcons practice squad in September.

In 17 games, McFarland logged 42 carries for 146 career yards and 11 receptions for 87 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers sign S Jalen Elliott to practice squad

The Steelers added depth at a painfully thin position.

We knew a signing was coming from the moment Damontae Kazee was suspended for the rest of the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers are painfully thin at the defensive back position with Minkah Fitzpatrick out (again) for an undetermined length of time and Keanu Neal and Elijah Riley on injured reserve.

To address that need, Pittsburgh signed safety Jalen Elliott to their practice squad today. The 25-year-old journeyman, who was with the Steelers in camp and also part of their practice squad early this season, has spent time with the Detroit Lions, New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders.

Elliott played eight games in 2021, with one start, and recorded 12 tackles.

On Monday, Mike Tomlin expressed optimism that Riley could come off injured reserve this week. Expect their depth to be tested with Miles Killebrew and Trenton Thompson as the Steelers host the surging Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers vs. Colts: Pittsburgh elevates LB Kyron Johnson from practice squad ahead Week 15 game

Kyron Johnson has been elevated to the active/inactive roster for the third consecutive week.

Kyron Johnson has been elevated to the active/inactive roster for the third consecutive week since being signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in October.

The inside linebacker played primarily on special teams after being selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. That’s been his role thus far for Pittsburgh, as well, with each of his 33 snaps coming on special teams.

Given that Week 15 is the third and final time Johnson can be elevated, Pittsburgh will need to sign him to the 53-man roster or risk him going through waivers. According to Teresa Varley of Steelers.com, he’ll revert to the practice squad after the game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers sign preseason EDGE rusher standout to practice squad

In a desperately-needed depth move, the Steelers signed preseason standout David Perales to their practice squad.

It’ll take a contingent of players to sniff the production of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, and that’s what the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to prepare.

Rookie EDGE rusher David Perales returns to the team after his release from the practice squad in October. He’ll join Markus Golden, Nick Herbig and fellow practice-squader Kyron Johnson as the only depth outside linebackers currently on the roster.

To make room for Perales, the Steelers released running back Qadree Ollison.

Perales played 100 preseason snaps, recording four tackles and a quarterback hurry.

If Watt and Highsmith remain on the final injury report on Thursday, expect Johnson and Perales to be called up.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers choose not the elevate LB Myles Jack for Patriots matchup

Myles Jack got denied an opportunity to suit up for the Steelers for the second consecutive week.

Myles Jack got denied an opportunity to suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second consecutive week. Instead, they chose to elevate Kyron Johnson, as they did for the Week 13 Arizona Cardinals game.

Johnson, signed by the Steelers on Oct. 10, was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft and played primarily on special teams. That’s been his role thus far for Pittsburgh — last week he played 13 snaps on special teams and zero on defense.

Expect the same tonight against the Patriots, as the Steelers will likely go with Mykal Walker and Mark Robinson at inside linebacker if Elandon Roberts doesn’t play. We could also see Blake Martinez activated for the first time since he was signed on Nov. 21.

It’s just not Jack’s time — yet. He still has some work to do. “Jack’s getting back into shape,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said on Tuesday. “We like Myles as a football player. Myles is — obviously, the things that have held Myles back are just he’s got long-term injury stuff — but as far as a football player, I have no doubt about him as a football player.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]