Tag: Steelers tryouts 2020

Steelers host former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center for tryout

The Steelers will need depth at the center position if backup J.C. Hassenauer steps in at guard on Monday versus Bengals.

Zach is back! According to the NFL transaction wire, the Pittsburgh Steelers brought center Zach Shackelford in for a Friday tryout. Shackelford had a tryout earlier this month shortly after Maurkice Pouncey was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Texas Longhorns product started 40 of 43 games at center. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL draft but released him on cut-down day.

With injuries to guards Matt Feiler (pectoral) and Kevin Dotson (shoulder), offensive line depth is thin. Backup center J.C. Hassenauer stepped in at guard during the Buffalo Bills game, and he’ll likely do the same on Monday.

If signed, Shackelford could be backing up Pouncey.

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Steelers tryouts: A familiar face among free agent workouts on Monday

Several players were welcomed to Heinz Field for tryouts on Monday.

The Steelers welcomed several players to Heinz Field for tryouts on Monday, including linebackers Kyahva Tezino (San Diego State) and Jayrone Elliott (Toledo) and guard Andrew Dickinson (Findlay).

Tezino, who earned first-team All-American West distinction in 2018 and 2019, signed with the Patriots in April as an undrafted rookie. He was released in July, claimed off waivers by the Panthers, and subsequently released.

The Steelers are familiar with the Elliott, as they signed and re-signed him eight times in 2019. The outside linebacker appeared in five games and recorded four tackles. Elliott, 28, has been around the league since signing as an undrafted rookie with the Packers in 2014.

It’s not a surprise to see the Steelers worked out a guard. Rookie guard Kevin Dotson (knee) was injured Tuesday at camp and has yet to return. Dotson has been observing practice from the sidelines.

The team also brought in two long snappers: Liam McCullough (Ohio State) and Rex Sunahara (West Virginia). Current LS Kameron Canaday injured his knee in practice Saturday.

On a side note, tight end Dax Raymond — waived as injured by the team on Saturday — went unclaimed. Therefore, Raymond has reverted to the Steelers injured reserve players. He does not count against the 90-player limit.

The undrafted free agent out of Utah injured his ankle at practice last week.

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