Denzel Mims is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the former New York Jets second-round draft pick has signed to their practice squad where he’ll join receiver Deuce Watts. Dez Fitzpatrick, signed to the 53-man roster last week, was cut following the loss to the Houston Texans.
This move could indicate that the initial Diontae Johnson return timeline isn’t on schedule. But the loss of tight end Pat Freiermuth, who was a go-to target when the Steelers did reach the red zone, is also significant.
Mims isn’t 100 percent, either, as he’s still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in training camp. If healthy, he could be a candidate for promotion from the practice squad (teams are permitted to elevate scout-team players to game-day rosters three different times during the season).
The #Steelers are signing WR Denzel Mims to the practice squad, source says. The former second-round pick of the #Jets joins Pittsburgh as he works his way back from an ankle injury suffered while with the #Lions in camp.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 3, 2023
The 6-foot-3 Mims, drafted out of Baylor in 2020, hasn’t done much in his three-year career. His first season with the Jets produced 357 yards on 23 receptions. Overall, he’s logged just 676 yards in 30 games (15 starts) and never scored a touchdown.
New York traded Mims, 25, to the Lions this summer but was waived with an injury designation (ankle) one month later.
In other roster moves, Pittsburgh added offensive lineman Obinna Eze and released running back Greg Bell.
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