HEADLINES

Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/11/15

August 11th, 2015 at 7:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Tuesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL:

  • The Bills have signed cornerback Lavelle Westbrooks and waived/injured receiver Caleb Holley, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW tweets.
  • The Cowboys have signed defensive back Brandon Smith, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (on Twitter). To make room for Smith, the Cowboys waived/injured Chris Whaley, who tore his Achilles on Monday (link).
  • After getting word that JaCorey Shepherd suffered a torn ACL and will be out for the season, the Eagles added another cornerback to their roster, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed former Ravens seventh-round pick Marc Anthony.
  • The Lions have placed tight end David Ausberry on their injured reserve list, ending his season, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Twentyman adds that the team signed cornerback Jocquel Skinner to fill the newly-created roster opening.
  • In addition to confirming their previously reported signing of defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, the Buccaneers announced several more moves today in a press release. Tampa Bay signed punter Karl Schmitz, who was cut earlier this week by Denver, and waived rookie linebackers Quinton Alston and Sammuel Lamur.
  • To make room on their roster for new kicker Garrett Hartley, the Steelers waived/injured QB/WR Devin Gardner, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). Gardner, who originally signed with the Patriots as an undrafted rookie out of Michigan in May, figures to land on Pittsburgh’s IR if he clears waivers.
  • The Cardinals have made a change in their secondary, re-signing safety Ross Weaver and cutting another safety, D.J. Campbell, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.
  • The Falcons have removed safety Terell Floyd from their roster, reaching an injury settlement with him, according to the team.
  • Three months after signing him as an undrafted free agent, the Packers have cut rookie wideout Ricky Collins, the club announced today in a press release. Battling a heel injury, Collins never got off Green Bay’s PUP list during camp.
  • After clearing waivers, linebacker Matt Robinson will revert to the Jaguars‘ IR with a hamstring injury, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
  • According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link), the NFL reinstated the previously-terminated contract between the Cowboys and linebacker Will Smith, who is back on the team’s injured reserve list.

Steelers Sign Garrett Hartley

August 11th, 2015 at 12:15pm CST by Luke Adams

A day after learning that kicker Shaun Suisham suffered a torn ACL, the Steelers have found their new kicker. According to agent Erik Burkhardt (via Twitter), Pittsburgh has signed veteran free agent Garrett Hartley to a contract.

Hartley was one of a handful of kickers who were reportedly set to audition for the Steelers today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport named former Eagles kicker Alex Henery and journeyman free agent Jay Feely as other candidates expected to get a look from Pittsburgh.

Hartley, 29, served as the Saints’ kicker for parts of five seasons between 2008 and 2013, making a total of 82 field goals in 101 attempts (81.2%). He struggled in his last year with the club in 2013, making just 73.3% of his 30 attempts, and missing four field goals from inside 40 yards. Hartley’s last NFL stint came in 2014 with the Browns.

A source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that Hartley’s deal is for one year, so he’ll be a stopgap solution while Suisham recovers. I would expect Hartley’s contract features little to no guaranteed money, so the Steelers would have the option of finding a replacement if he struggles.

Shaun Suisham May Have Torn ACL

August 10th, 2015 at 11:00am CST by Zachary Links

Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham has told people the belief is he tore his ACL, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The kicker will have an MRI done later today to confirm the likely diagnosis.

Suisham, 33, signed a four-year extension with the Steelers last year that takes him through the 2018 season. Across the last five seasons with the Steelers, Suisham has connected on 87.9% of his field goal attempts, though that average was weighed down by a subpar 2011 campaign. Last season, he converted on 90.6% of his field goal tries, missing only one chip shot and two 50 yard+ attempts. From 30-49 yards out, he was a flawless 16-16.

Prior to joining the Steelers in 2010, Suisham spent time with the Cowboys and Washington. For his career, he has converted on 274 out of 276 extra point tries. In the last five years with Pittsburgh, he has never missed a PAT.

AFC Notes: Incognito, Berry, Steelers, Browns

August 9th, 2015 at 7:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league-appointed investigator Ted Wells are drawing plenty of criticism for how they’re handling Tom Brady‘s DeflateGate case, but Bills guard Richie Incognito tore into them Saturday for how they dealt with his own scandal a couple years ago.

The league suspended Incognito from November 2013 to February 2014 after a bullying case involving then-Dolphins teammate Jonathan Martin. Incognito, who subsequently sat out all of last season and then signed with Buffalo this past winter, told Newsday’s Bob Glauber: “Ted Wells came in slanted against me and everything in his report was slanted against me. There were some things in there that would have helped my cause that were left out.”

Incognito noted there was “teammate testimony” that would’ve helped his cause, but Wells didn’t pay it any mind. Further, Albert Breer of NFL Network tweeted that “a lot of Dolphins coaches felt their voiced weren’t heard by Wells.”

Regarding Goodell, Incognito said, “I just think it’s bogus, the whole system in how it’s set up with Roger and the complete, absolute power he has.”

“You have to get a little power out of [Goodell’s] hands and get [an independent arbitrator] to take a look at it.”

More from the AFC:

  • Sunday represented a significant step in the return of Chiefs safety Eric Berry. The three-time Pro Bowler practiced in full pads with the second-team defense just eight months removed from a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and three months since his final chemotherapy treatment, writes Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today. Berry’s teammates are excited about his progress. “It’s motivation, courage — for the whole team,” said linebacker Derrick Johnson. “This means a lot to us.”
  • This could be a make-or-break year for Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones, an anonymous general manager told Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN (Twitter link). The former Georgia star has a paltry three sacks in two years since the Steelers used a first-round pick on him in 2013.
  • The race to be the Browns’ third quarterback behind Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel is currently a dead heat between Connor Shaw and Thaddeus Lewis.  “I wouldn’t list one of those guys [Shaw or Lewis] ahead of the other,” head coach Mike Pettine said Sunday, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “Obviously, Josh is firmly the one, as I’ve said. Johnny is the two, and I would slash those guys [Shaw and Lewis] at the three.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/15

August 8th, 2015 at 8:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are Saturday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL:

  • The Colts made several moves along their offensive line today, adding guard Dionte Savage while waiving guard Kitt O’Brien and tackle Matt Hall (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle). O’Brien lost his roster spot quickly, as he was just signed yesterday.
  • In Kansas City, the Chiefs have also been busy, signing offensive tackle Anthony Dima and receiver Adam Drake, and waiving linebacker Sage Harold and receiver Armon Binns, writes Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
  • The Rams have signed defensive tackle Marcus Forston, who has spent the past few years with the Patriots, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In order to create a roster spot, the team waived running back Terrence Franks, a 2015 undrafted rookie free agent (Twitter link).
  • The Cowboys have removed linebacker Justin Anderson from their injured reserve list, according to Wilson (Twitter link), who reports Dallas reached an injury settlement with Anderson. The Cowboys also cut fellow linebacker Will Smith, who, like Anderson, had been on the club’s IR.

Earlier updates:

  • The Browns signed former Ravens tryout cornerback Joe Rankin, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). A 2014 undrafted player from Division I-FCS Morgan State, Rankin worked as an overnight forklift operator to save enough money to train for another NFL opportunity.
  • Former Arena League and CFL cog Shawn Lemon signed with the 49ers, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (on Twitter). The Steelers waived the 26-year-old outside linebacker last week.
  • The Steelers have placed safety Isaiah Lewis on the waived/injured list, and they’ve signed safety Jordan Dangerfield to take his spot, the team announced (via Twitter). Lewis, a former undrafted rookie, was signed to a futures contract at the end of last season. The Michigan State product had been battling a hamstring injury for most of camp. Dangerfield has previously been with the Steelers, participating in their 2014 camp and practice squad before being signed to a futures contract. He was waived last month when Pittsburgh added offensive lineman Kelvin Palmer.
  • The Lions have waived cornerback Ethan Davis, tweets ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein. The undrafted rookie had joined Detroit earlier this week.

Extra Points: Browns, Hardy, Texans, Steelers

August 8th, 2015 at 11:59am CST by Ben Levine

Columbus, Ohio officials and Browns executives are working towards an agreement that would make the city the home to the organization’s training camp, reports Tom Reed of Cleveland.com. The team had it’s largest turnout for a practice in nearly a decade at Ohio Stadium on Friday, as about 50,000 fans packed the venue. This expectedly made Browns owner Jimmy Haslam very enthused.

“It’s not there yet, but I think we’re getting closer,” Haslam said. “(I) had dinner with (Ohio State athletic director) Gene Smith (Thursday) night and that was positive.

“Columbus has been great to deal with. I think it has been good for our guys to get away from Berea for a couple days. A little different scenario. And to play in front of 45, 50 thousand people is fun whether you’re a veteran or a young person. So, it has been a great two days at Ohio State and the city of Columbus has been great to work with.”

Reed had reported earlier in the week that Columbus was seeking a five- to ten-year agreement from the organization, with a plan to build a facility backed by public and private money. Such a venue wouldn’t be ready until 2017, but Reed notes that the team could still practice in a temporary home until then.

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the league…

  • Even with Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy seeing his suspension reduced last month, Rand Getlin of the NFL Network tweets that the NFLPA is still considering whether they should seek “further reduction” in court.
  • Following Arian Foster‘s injury, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the Texans are hoping to add another running back. The team’s current core includes Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Chris Polk and Kenny Hilliard.
  • Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says the Steelers are trying to determine whether former fourth-round pick Landry Jones can be Ben Roethlisberger‘s long-term backup. The former Oklahoma standout will get his chance during Sunday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, where he’s expected to play most of the game. “He has had his moments before, but none more definitive than this in this part of his career,” said quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner. “He is getting a whole lot of work with (first string), the (second string) and now is the time to let this all come together.”

More Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/15

August 7th, 2015 at 5:41pm CST by Luke Adams

We rounded up several minor transactions from around the league earlier today, but teams have been busy since then, so we’ve got many more moves to recap. Here’s the latest:

  • The Cowboys have signed offensive tackle Cody Clay after a workout, reports Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com (via Twitter). The team waive/injured linebacker Will Smith, who was unavailable due to a groin injury.
  • Isaiah Pead and the Rams have agreed a new deal for the final year of his contract on July 30th, reports Howard Balzer of FoxSportsMidwest.com (via Twitter). His base salary was reduced from $940,650 to $585,000 for 2015 (via Twitter).
  • Veteran tight end Alex Smith – not to be confused with the quarterback of the same name – has signed with the Saints, who waived rookie tight end Jack Tabb with an injury designation, tweets Evan Woodbery of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
  • The Steelers have placed defensive end Clifton Geathers on their injured reserve list, signing free agent defensive tackle Joe Okafor to take his place, the team announced today (via Twitter). As a veteran player, Geathers didn’t have to pass through waivers before landing on IR.
  • In addition to confirming the previously-reported signing of running back Michael Ford, the Falcons also made a few more moves. As Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter), the club signed tight end D.J. Tialavea, waived wide receiver Freddie Martino, and waived/injured tight Beau Gardner, who injured his knee.
  • Safety Robert Smith, waived yesterday by the Colts, has been claimed by the Seahawks, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). Seattle cut safety Ty Zimmerman to clear room on the roster.
  • The Titans have made a change at the fullback position, signing Zach Boren and waiving undrafted rookie Connor Neighbors with an injury designation, according to Jim Wyatt of Titans Online (Twitter link).
  • The Giants have signed rookie safety Justin Halley, waiving receiver Chris Harper with an injured designation to create an opening on the roster, per Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter link).
  • The Patriots have reached an injury settlement with defensive lineman Vince Taylor, removing him from their injured reserve list, tweets Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/15

August 7th, 2015 at 1:12pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Friday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL:

  • With Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman both nursing injuries, the Falcons have bolstered their backfield depth by signing running back Michael Ford, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The LSU product spent some time with the Bears in 2013.
  • Offensive lineman Ben Heenan has been waived by the Colts after suffering an MCL injury, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. The team reached an injury settlement with Heenan, so he won’t go on the IR if the clears waivers. To replace Heenan, the Colts signed free agent guard Kitt O’Brien.
  • The Chargers have swapped one offensive lineman for another at the back of their roster, waiving rookie Ben Beckwith with an injury designation, and signing undrafted free agent Melvin Meggs, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).
  • Earlier this week, the Texans released offensive lineman Will Yeatman with an injury settlement. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the settlement was worth just over $68K.
  • Wilson also reports (via Twitter) that wide receiver Eli Rogers has been placed on the Steelers‘ injured reserve list after going unclaimed on waivers.

More Minor NFL Transactions: 8/6/16

August 6th, 2015 at 7:22pm CST by Zachary Links

We rounded up some of the minor signings and moves in the NFL earlier today. Below, we’ll round up the very latest..

  • The Bills are signing former Eastern Michigan running back Bronson Hill, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Hill should provide Buffalo with more depth as they get set to install a run-heavy offense. To make room, the Bills cut defensive end Erik Williams, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
  • The Colts were awarded cornerback Tevin Mitchel off waivers from Washington and waived safety Robert Smith to make room for him, Wilson tweets.
  • The Steelers waived-injured Rob Blanchflower and claimed tight end Ray Hamilton off waivers from the Cowboys, Wilson tweets.
  • The Patriots announced today that they have signed offensive lineman Mark Asper and tight end Mason Brodine. To make room, offensive lineman Harland Gunn has been let go. Asper, 29, originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick by the Bills in 2012.
  • The Cardinals waived/injured guard John Fullington (knee) and released tight end Ted Bolser, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The 49ers have waived/injured offensive lineman Ben Gottschalk, Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group tweets.
  • The Saints waived defensive end Glenn Foster with a failed physical designation, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets. To fill his spot, New Orleans inked undrafted rookie cornerback Travis Manning.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/5/15

August 5th, 2015 at 8:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor NFL moves and signings..

  • The Eagles signed rookie free agent linebacker Diaheem Watkins, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com tweets.
  • The Seahawks announced that they have signed linebacker Dakorey Johnson, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets. Johnson takes the place of linebacker Alex Singleton, who was cut loose earlier today.
  • The Bears have waived/injured tight end Brian Vogler with a foot injury, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
  • The 49ers agreed to terms with wide receiver Nigel King, as Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com tweets.

Earlier Updates:

  • The Rams waived wide receiver Devon Wylie, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Falcons waived cornerback Michael Lee and signed nose tackle Derrick Hopkins, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Buccaneers announced (on Twitter) that they have waived long snapper Courtland Clavette.
  • The Panthers signed cornerback T.J. Heath and defensive tackle Kenny Horsley, David Newton of ESPN.com tweets. To make room, Carolina released punter Matt Wile.
  • Washington announced the signings of cornerbacks Bryan McCann and DreQuan Hoskey. McCann, who first entered the league as UDFA with the Cowboys in 2010, has made multiple stops around the NFL. Hoskey, a Virginia product, was in rookie minicamp this summer and made a strong impression on coaches. Washington also cut Phillip Thomas and waived/injured Tevin Mitchel, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Steelers signed undrafted rookie wide receiver Kenzel Doe of Wisconsin and waived-injured undrafted rookie receiver Eli Rogers, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets.
  • The Ravens signed defensive tackle Micajah Reynolds and waived defensive tackle Casey Walker, who just came off the PUP list on Monday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Bears are signing USC tight end Kevin Greene, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
Load More Posts