Tag: Steelers practice squad 2020

Steelers practice squad 2020: Pittsburgh protects 4 PS players for Week 13

A new concept for the 2020 season is the “protected” practice squad. Here are the four players the Steelers chose to protect.

For Week 13 practice squad protections, Pittsburgh tabbed offensive tackles Jarron Jones and Anthony Coyle, wide receiver Deon Cain and running back Wendell Smallwood. These four are not eligible to sign with another team until after Monday’s game.

There is currently one spot open on the practice squad roster. The Steelers signed rookie safety Antoine Brooks to the 53-man roster on Thursday. This will be Brooks’ fifth time being elevated to the active/inactive roster.

[vertical-gallery id=482903]

Practice squad “protection” is a new concept for the 2020 season. It’s a concession for the potential personnel shortages that could occur if the virus strikes the locker room.

With the exception of the rescheduled Steelers-Ravens Week 12 game, teams can designate protected players each Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m., except for clubs that played on the previous Monday night; their designations go into effect prior to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

On Monday at 5 p.m. EST, the Steelers host the Washington Football Team.

[listicle id=482761]

What can LB Tegray Scales bring to Pittsburgh Steelers?

Here is a glimpse at what Scales can potentially bring to the Steelers linebacker corps.

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh hosted linebacker Tegray Scales for a visit. On Wednesday, he was signed to the practice squad.

Scales came in for a visit and not a workout because the team was already acquainted with his skillset. The 6’0 linebacker signed a futures contract with Pittsburgh in January 2019 but was cut after the preseason.

What can Scales bring to the team should he be elevated to the 53-man roster? We looked to Pro Football Focus to see the contributions he brought last preseason.

 

Here is a breakdown of Scales’ PFF grades:

2019 Steelers preseason

Week 1 vs. Buccaneers

  • 44 snaps: 4 run, 3 pass, 25 coverage
    • Defense: 29.4
    • Run: 67.3
    • Pass rush: 68.2
    • Coverage: 28.6

Week 2 vs. Chiefs

  • Defense: 59.8 | 0 run, 3 pass, 6 coverage
    • Run: –
    • Pass rush: 54.1
    • Coverage: 63

Week 3 vs. Titans

  • Defense: 91.8 | 1 run, 4 pass, 3 coverage
    • Run: 60.0
    • Pass rush: 91.2
    • Coverage: 62.9

Week 4 vs. Panthers

  • Defense: 59.3 | 10 run, 3 pass, 5 coverage
    • Run: 80.2
    • Pass rush: 88.8
    • Coverage: 27.7

Overall

  • Defense: 50.0 | 120 snaps, 15 run, 13 pass, 39 coverage
    • Run: 83.1
    • Pass rush: 91.3
    • Coverage: 28.0

[vertical-gallery id=481312]

[listicle id=481245]

Steelers practice squad 2020: Pittsburgh protects 4 PS players for Week 10

A new concept for the 2020 season is the “protected” practice squad. Here are the four players the Steelers chose to protect.

For Week 10 practice squad protections, Pittsburgh tabbed rookie safety Antoine Brooks, wide receiver Deon Cain, tight end Kevin Rader and running back Wendell Smallwood. These four are not eligible to sign with another team until after Sunday’s game.

This is the first time Rader has been protected this season. The Steelers are thin at tight end after Vance McDonald tested positive for COVID-19.

It’s worth noting the Steelers currently have one spot open on the practice squad.

Practice squad “protection” is a new concept for the 2020 season. It’s a concession for the potential personnel shortages that could occur if the virus strikes the locker room.

[vertical-gallery id=481312]

Teams can designate protected players each Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m., except for clubs that played on the previous Monday night; their designations go into effect prior to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Nov. 15 versus the Dallas Cowboys at Heinz Field.

[lawrence-related id=480643]