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Jonathan Ward

Steelers Place CB C.J Henderson On IR

November 16th, 2024 at 9:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

C.J Henderson has yet to make his Steelers debut, and that will remain the case for an extended period. The former first-rounder corner was placed on injured reserve, the team announced Saturday.

Henderson joined the Steelers in September, initially inking a practice squad deal. He was promoted to the active roster last month amidst interest from other teams, but he has still yet to make an appearance. A neck injury will now keep Henderson sidelined for at least the next four games as Pittsburgh looks to remain atop the AFC North.

Pittsburgh enters Week 11 with a 7-2 record ahead of a critical matchup with the Ravens. The team’s defense has remained among the league’s best units with both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at the helm; the Steelers have allowed 16.2 points per games this year, the second-best mark in the NFL. The team’s secondary has not been as strong, as Pittsburgh sits just 19th against the pass.

Henderson’s absence will require the Steelers to continue leaning heavily on Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson as starters at the cornerback spot. The likes of undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop along with Cameron Sutton – recently reinstated from suspension – are in place to handle rotational roles in the secondary. Missed time will further hinder Henderson’s ability to carve out a role with the Steelers.

The 26-year-old entered the league with high expectations but he played only 10 games with the Jaguars before being traded during his second season to the Panthers. Henderson made 22 starts with Carolina, but his struggles in coverage continued during his time with the team. The Florida product took a one-year deal with the Texans in free agency, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. Having yet to make an impact in Pittsburgh, Henderson is no doubt looking at another tepid market this spring.

In a corresponding move, the Steelers signed running back Jonathan Ward to the active roster. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have handled the bulk of the rushing load in 2024, as expected. Ward, 27, has received only five carries so far this season but he has contributed on special teams. He will feature in that capacity tomorrow provided he is part of the gameday lineup.

Steelers Add WR Jamal Agnew

November 12th, 2024 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers kept Jamal Agnew on their radar for a bit, working out the cornerback-turned-wide receiver days before their regular-season opener. Coming off a major injury, the former All-Pro has found a home around the season’s midpoint.

Agnew secured a gig with Pittsburgh on Tuesday. This is a practice squad agreement, one that could double as a bridge to the veteran special-teamer working his way back to an active roster. The former San Diego Torero suffered a broken leg during Week 17 of last season, leading to an extended hiatus.

Best known for his return prowess, Agnew boasts six career return scores. He and Steelers free agency addition Cordarrelle Patterson have combined for 16 as pros. Unlike Patterson, who has fielded only one punt during his decorated career, Agnew has four return TDs. His All-Pro nod came as a rookie in 2017, when the former Lions fifth-rounder notched two punt-return scores and led the league with 447 return yards. Agnew, 29, also added punt-return TDs in 2019 and ’20 with Detroit; he notched a kick-return score with Jacksonville in 2021 and added a Pro Bowl nod with the Jaguars a year later.

In Jacksonville, Agnew also carved out a role as an auxiliary wideout for Trevor Lawrence. He caught three touchdown passes in 2022 and cleared 220 receiving yards in 2021 and ’23. Entering the NFL as a corner/return man, Agnew has been an offensive player for years now. He played out a three-year, $14.25MM Jags deal last season.

Pittsburgh’s exhaustive receiver search ended just before the deadline, with Mike Williams coming in (for a fifth-round pick) and soon catching a game-winning touchdown in Washington. As Williams joins George Pickens and Calvin Austin as regulars, the Steelers are still carrying Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek and Scott Miller on their 53-man roster. Austin has been the Steelers’ primary punt returner this season. It will be interesting to see if Agnew earns a role or merely resides as insurance in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers also added running back Jonathan Ward to their P-squad while releasing O-lineman John Leglue and wideout Lance McCutcheon from the taxi squad.

Steelers Cut S Terrell Edmunds

November 9th, 2024 at 12:48pm CST by Ben Levine

Terrell Edmunds‘ second stint with the Steelers has come to an end. The team announced today that they’ve released the veteran safety. Edmunds will now be subject to waivers before officially hitting free agency.

Edmunds was snagged off the Jaguars practice squad in early September and proceeded to get into five games with Pittsburgh. He was splitting time between defense and special teams in 2024, getting into each of the Steelers five games before their bye. This past week, the veteran missed a handful of practices with an illness designation.

The former first-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, starting 75 of his 84 appearances while compiling 417 tackles, five sacks, and five interceptions. He joined the Eagles ahead of the 2023 campaign but was dealt to the Titans midway through that season. He spent this past preseason with the Jaguars before landing on Jacksonville’s taxi squad to begin the campaign.

The Steelers weren’t done making moves today, as both linebacker Tyler Matakevich and wideout Ben Skowronek were activated from IR. Matakevich (hamstring) and Skowronek (shoulder) both suffered injuries in Week 2 that ultimately landed them on IR. The duo will likely make their main contributions on special teams for the stretch run of the season.

To make more room on the roster, the team also cut running back Jonathan Ward. The veteran journeyman got into four games with Pittsburgh this season, collecting 22 yards from scrimmage on five touches.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/24

October 28th, 2024 at 7:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Cowboys defensive lineman Sam Williams has already been ruled out for the 2024 season thanks to a torn ACL, and now he’s been slapped with a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy (via Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). The unpaid suspension went to effect prior to Week 8, and the player will be eligible for reinstatement prior to Week 11. The punishment stems from Williams’ reckless driving charge from 2023.

The Colts lost a key special teamer for the season in Trevor Denbow, as Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star reports that the player suffered “injuries to multiple ligaments and cartilage” during yesterday’s game. Denbow has appeared in 65 percent of his team’s ST snaps over the past two seasons, and he’s been limited to only six defensive snaps over that time.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/19/24

October 19th, 2024 at 6:29pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad callups:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Autry was hit with a six-game PED suspension in July, leaving the Texans without a key figure along the defensive line. The free agent pickup could have suited up by means of Houston using his one-week roster exemption; instead, he has been activated in time for Week 7. Autry, 34, posted a career-high 11 sacks last season and he will look to make an immediate impact during his Texans debut. Especially with Mario Edwards having been issued a four-game suspension of his own earlier this week, he should have a notable role right away.

Steelers Place DL DeMarvin Leal On IR

October 12th, 2024 at 9:03am CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like DeMarvin Leal‘s season has come to an end. The Steelers announced that they’ve placed the defensive lineman on injured reserve.

Leal suffered a neck injury last Sunday that limited him to only 12 snaps. Per Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the defender is expected to miss the rest of the 2024 campaign.

The former third-round pick has spent most of this season serving as a linebacker while helping to fill in for the injured Alex Highsmith. Leal mostly played defensive end through his first two seasons in the NFL, starting six of his 23 appearances. In total, the third-year player has collected 33 tackles, one sack, and three QB hits.

In corresponding moves, the Steelers signed linebacker Ade Ogundeji to the 53-man roster and promoted linebacker Eku Leota and running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad. Ogundeji caught on with Pittsburgh’s practice squad at the end of August and is set to make his season debut. The former fifth-round pick started his career in Atlanta, collecting 75 tackles in 27 starts. He missed the entire 2023 campaign with a foot/ankle injury.

There was also some good news on the injury front this morning. The Steelers removed Jaylen Warren from the injury report, meaning the running back should be back on the field for Week 6. Warren missed Week 4 and Week 5 while nursing a knee injury, and he’ll now rejoin a depth chart that’s co-led by Najee Harris.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/24

October 5th, 2024 at 7:29pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s gameday elevations and other minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Mariota returned to practice on Wednesday, which was the earliest point at which he could be designated for return. As a result, it comes as little surprise he has been brought back onto Washington’s active roster. The 30-year-old is in his first season with the Commanders, and today’s move paves the way for him to handle backup duties moving forward.

Ngakoue remained on the free agent market into the start of the regular season. He was not connected to a Ravens reunion, but one took place last week. The journeyman sack artist had a brief spell with Baltimore in 2020, and he posted three sacks in 11 games. Ngakoue, 29, had one-and done campaigns in Vegas, Indianapolis and Chicago before taking a Ravens practice squad deal. He will make his debut tomorrow and aim to provide depth along the edge.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/29/24

August 29th, 2024 at 8:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

PFR’s practice squad rundown, signaling we are indeed close to games that count, begins Thursday. Here is how teams began to handle their 16-man P-squads.

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Slovis went to camp with the Colts, joining the team as a UDFA this year. Houston placed Case Keenum on IR and released Tim Boyle, who is now the Dolphins’ P-squad QB. Slovis, who played at USC, Pittsburgh and BYU in college, is now the Texans’ de facto third-stringer.

Shelley has 11 career starts — with the Bears and Vikings — on his resume. He joined the Raiders last year but ended up with the Rams, playing in 11 games as a backup. The Giants have spent time searching for a cornerback answer, having not been too satisfied with their Cor’Dale Flott–Nick McCloud CB2 competition. New York did not make any waiver claims at the position Wednesday.

Reagor, who played for the Patriots last season, is back after being released earlier this week. The former Minnesota first-rounder played in 11 New England games last season, returning a kick for a touchdown. Latu joins the Browns after being a 49ers cut. The 2023 third-round pick missed all of last season with an ACL tear. Jefferson is back with the Bolts hours after being released.

Steelers To Add RBs Boston Scott, Jonathan Ward To Practice Squad

August 28th, 2024 at 10:34am CST by Sam Robinson

Despite declining Najee Harris‘ fifth-year option, the Steelers still roster both the former first-rounder and UDFA complement Jaylen Warren. The team is adding veteran insurance behind its top duo.

Boston Scott is expected to join Pittsburgh’s practice squad, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. Recently released by the Rams, Scott is a vested veteran and will not need to clear waivers today before choosing his next destination.

Best known for his long-running stint as an Eagles backup, Scott will return to Pennsylvania to join a team that carried only two pure RBs on its 53-man roster Tuesday. Cordarrelle Patterson is the No. 3 back for the now-Arthur Smith-led offense, but he is primarily a return specialist — even though Smith will likely get his ex-Falcons charge some non-special teams work as well.

Scott, 29, spent parts of six seasons in Philly. He worked as a regular backup for the team, working behind Miles Sanders for four years and behind D’Andre Swift last season. Scott, however, started 12 games and logged 373 touches. That low workload will help him secure a gig ahead of an age-29 season. While Scott totaled only 86 rushing yards last season, he reached 373 to go with a career-high seven touchdowns in 2021.

With Scott expected to be part of Pittsburgh’s 16-man P-squad, the team can add up to five more vested veterans. Teams will largely assemble their taxi squads today, and the Steelers will opt for experience behind the Harris-Warren duo. Pittsburgh is also adding another back to its P-squad, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Jonathan Ward is joining the team. Ward has played in 42 games for the Cardinals and Titans across a four-year career. Only logging 17 career attempts, Ward has spent most of his NFL time as a special-teamer.

Steelers Get Down To 53

August 27th, 2024 at 10:07pm CST by Ely Allen

The Steelers were able to get down to the required 53 players today with the following roster moves:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on IR:

Placed on IR (designated for return):

Placed on reserve/PUP list:

Holcomb, Cook, and Moon will be sitting out the first four games of 2024, at least. Watts is the only 2024 draft pick for Pittsburgh who will not be on the active roster to start the year. He and Welschof, one of only two of the team’s five undrafted free agent signees who weren’t waived by today, will miss the entire season.

West Virginia standout cornerback Beanie Bishop is the only undrafted rookie to make the 53-man roster. With Cameron Sutton starting out the year serving a suspension, Bishop could easily find his way into the starting nickelback role.

The Steelers are also coming into 2024 with a thin wide receiving corps. The only receivers on the active roster are George Pickens, Van Jefferson, rookie Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, and Calvin Austin.

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