The NFL carried over some successful rules from the 2020 season, including practice squad protections. Teams can protect up to four of the most valued players on their practice squad each week, preventing them from being signed by other teams.
Teams that play on Sundays can designate protected players each Tuesday at 4 p.m. Teams that play on Mondays designated players each Wednesday.
The Steelers protected safety Karl Joseph, tight end Kevin Rader and wide receivers Anthony Miller and Steve Sims. These four are not eligible to sign with another team until after Sunday’s game.
With Chase Claypool designated week-to-week with a toe injury, Miller or Sims could be elevated and appear in their first Steelers game versus the Lions.
The Pittsburgh Steelers host the winless Detroit Lions on Sunday.
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