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Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

Steelers Cut P Cameron Johnston, 12 Others

August 25th, 2025 at 6:10pm CST by Ben Levine

The Steelers started moving on from some players late last week, and they continued the process this afternoon. The team announced the following transactions:

Released:

Waived:

Cameron Johnston inked a three-year deal with the Steelers last offseason and was expected to lead the depth chart for the foreseeable future. However, the veteran suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that knocked him out for the rest of the season, allowing Corliss Waitman to secure the punting gig. It appears that Waitman won the competition between the two this preseason, and Johnston will now look to revive his career elsewhere. The team also moved on from kicker Ben Sauls, who always seemed destined to be cut considering Chris Boswell is still kicking around.

Among the team’s other notable cuts are Max Hurleman, who caught a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s preseason opener and was a standout during training camp, and linebackerMark Robinson, who was believed to be competing for a spot on the Steelers defense.

Vikings, Jets Still Eyeing WR Addition; Raiders, Steelers Also In Market

August 25th, 2025 at 4:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the deadline for roster cuts looming, trades around the league remain a distinct possibility over the coming days. The receiver position could be one to watch closely.

The Vikings and Jets are still evaluating the WR landscape with respect to trades, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Last week, Minnesota and New York were among the teams named as suitors on this front, so today’s update comes as no surprise. The Vikings and Jets both face questions about their depth beyond their established No. 1 wideouts.

Garrett Wilson will again lead the way in New York, with free agent addition Josh Reynolds set to play a notable role. Allen Lazard‘s future was a talking point earlier in the offseason given the Aaron Rodgers release, but he is on track to play out this season on a reduced contract. Any receivers brought in will be viewed as depth behind that trio and 2024 third-rounder Malachi Corley.

The Vikings have been connected to an Adam Thielen reunion, and calls have been made to the Panthers about a deal. Nothing is imminent at this point, but the 35-year-old would offer experienced depth behind Justin Jefferson and (when he returns from suspension) Jordan Addison. Minnesota has been busy on the trade front recently, and making an addition at the receiver spot could be the next item on the agenda.

Russini’s report also indicates the Raiders and Steelers are among the potential landing spots for a new wideout. Vegas has witnessed Jakobi Meyers issue a trade request, calling into question his future with the team. The pending free agent is not one the Raiders are looking to move on from, but especially if a swap were to take place an addition could become necessary. Tre Tucker along with rookies Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton are in position to play supporting roles, but further moves could help add a complementary presence to tight end Brock Bowers.

A receiver acquisition has long been talked about in the case of the Steelers this offseason. D.K. Metcalf will lead the way in 2025 and beyond, but the unproven nature of Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson has led to calls for a more established No. 2 option. Multiple free agent visits have taken place with free agent Gabe Davis, but no signing has come about since.

In addition to Davis, Amari Cooper, Tyler Boyd and DJ Chark are among the top unsigned wideouts at this time. Other notable names will no doubt become available over the next 24 hours through trade or cutdowns. A shortlist of teams is worth monitoring as the position’s late-summer landscape takes shape.

NFL Injury Updates: Fisher, 49ers, Samuel

August 23rd, 2025 at 11:14am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Texans right tackle Blake Fisher is dealing with a mild ankle sprain that will sideline him for an indeterminate amount of time, according to KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson.

Fisher suffered the injury in last Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Panthers and missed practice this week. His absence, if it extends into the regular season, will add another wrinkle to Houston’s plans at tackle.

The Texans already overhauled the position this offseason. They traded Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders and replaced him by aqcuiring Cam Robinson from the Vikings. Houston also signed veteran Trent Brown in free agency and drafted Aireontae Ersery in the second round of April’s draft. Along with Fisher and Tytus Howard, who combined to play every snap at right tackle in 2024, the Texans have a variety of options on either end of their offensive line.

Robinson returned to the field this week after missing a few practices with a minor leg injury. He has been splitting first-team LT reps with Ersery. The rookie has been cross-training at right tackle as well, but only lined up on the blind side during the preseason. With Brown still on the physically unable to perform list, Howard has been playing right tackle in camp and sat out both preseason games, suggesting he will start in Week 1. Fisher started both preseason games at right tackle; if his ankle has recovered by the start of the regular season, he’ll likely be the Texans’ swing tackle.

As teams prepare to finalize their initial 53-man rosters by the Tuesday deadline, here is the latest from the injury front:

Steelers Release 2 Players, Waive 9 Others

August 22nd, 2025 at 6:18pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Steelers began the process of trimming their roster down to 53 players on Friday with the following 11 cuts (via a team announcement):

Released

Waived

McQuaide, a 14-year veteran, was unable to pry the Steelers’ long snapping job away from Christian Kuntz. The 37-year-old spent the first decade of his career with the Rams with back-t0-back Pro Bowl nods in 2016 and 2017. McQuaide then signed with the Cowboys in 2021, his last season as a full-time starter. He was used as a spot starter by the Cowboys, Lions, Vikings, and Dolphins over the last three years.

Woodside, 30, never seemed to have a chance at a 53-man roster spot with four quarterbacks ahead of him on the Steelers’ depth chart. He will likely try to land a practice squad spot next week with a team that wants to carry an extra quarterback.

McQuaide and Woodside are free to join any team’s active roster, but the other nine players will be on the waiver wire until Wednesday. Any who pass through waivers, along with the two veterans, can sign to any team’s practice squad on Wednesday as well.

Steelers’ Derrick Harmon To Miss Time; IR Move Not Expected

August 22nd, 2025 at 5:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

5:54pm: It looks like the Steelers will carry Harmon on their 53-man roster to open the season. Because Harmon is expected to be healthy at some point during the season’s first four weeks, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac notes the team is unlikely to use an IR-return spot here.

3:23pm: The knee injury Derrick Harmon sustained Thursday night will force him to miss regular-season time. The Steelers’ first-round pick suffered an MCL sprain, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.

This injury can produce varying timetables, but Rapoport notes the expectation is the Steelers rookie misses around a month. That would make him a candidate for one of Pittsburgh’s two IR-return spots next week; such a move would mandate a four-game absence from the No. 21 overall pick.

Mike Tomlin said last night (via Bleacher Report’s James Palmer) Harmon suffered a “knee sprain of some description,” foreshadowing this diagnosis. This certainly could have been worse for the Steelers, as Harmon was carted off the field during the team’s preseason finale. But the Steelers will not have the Oregon product in Week 1 and most likely for longer than that.

If the Steelers stash Harmon on IR, they would save a roster spot next week. Harmon being placed on IR early would have him immediately count as one of Pittsburgh’s eight regular-season injury activations. The Steelers could also go week to week here, keeping Harmon on the active roster in the event Harmon is ready to return before Week 5, but that would mean carrying an injured player for multiple weeks to open the season.

It would make sense for the Steelers to proceed with a Harmon IR placement Tuesday since he will be healthy enough to play early in the season. The team would understandably want to make sure the interior D-lineman is healthy before debuting, and this would add a healthy player in his place during that recovery.

This offseason brought more Cameron Heyward contract drama, as the likely Hall of Fame-bound defensive tackle pushed for a raise via a short-lived hold-in. Despite being willing to miss games to make his point, Heyward returned to practice ahead of Pittsburgh’s preseason game. No Harmon early would mean the Steelers will be forced to count on Heyward once again, which could be interesting regarding his pursuit of a raise. Harmon is in place as a Heyward heir apparent of sorts, but this season will feature the two lining up together on Pittsburgh’s D-line. The team will need to wait a bit for that happens.

NFL Minor Transactions: 8/20/25

August 20th, 2025 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s midweek minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Reverted to IR: T Gareth Warren
  • Waived (with injury settlement): LB Devin Harper

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Waller will now be able to officially return to the field today as he attempts to shake off a year’s worth of retirement. Head coach Mike McDaniel expects him back at practice “very soon,” potentially even this week, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

The Bears have landed the services of the veteran Freeman as they deal with absences from D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, and Travis Homer. Hankins had gotten the starting nod in the team’s last preseason game for that same reason, and he’ll now hand off that role to Freeman.

Ferguson, the Dolphins’ former long snapper of the past five years, finally gets a job after his release from Miami. The Texans were really liking what they were seeing out of undrafted rookie Austin Brinkman, but a minor, short-team injury will keep him from the team’s final preseason game, requiring at least a short stay from Ferguson.

NFL Minor Transactions: 8/19/25

August 19th, 2025 at 8:47pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Reverted to IR: DL Keith Randolph

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Ameer Abdullah landed on IR earlier this month with a rib injury, but he’ll now have an opportunity to play in 2025 following his release. The veteran is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career in 2024, when he compiled 572 yards from scrimmage in 16 games (three starts) with the Raiders. The 49ers filled his spot on the roster by signing veteran Jeff Wilson.

Equanimeous St. Brown will also have a chance to play in 2025, as the WR was previously ruled out with a foot injury. The veteran wideout only has five catches over the past two seasons.

Bengals, Seahawks To Host Veteran G Dalton Risner; Steelers Also An Option

August 19th, 2025 at 5:45pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

TODAY, 5:45pm: Risner had a strong workout for the Bengals but didn’t land a contract, according to Schultz. However, the two sides are expected to “stay in touch,” so perhaps the veteran could be a target for the organization down the road.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Risner is set to meet with the Seahawks. The Steelers are also an option for the veteran offensive lineman. Per Fowler, the player is determined to take all of these visits before settling on a final decision.

MONDAY, 9:30pm: Veteran offensive guard Dalton Risner is set to visit the Bengals on Tuesday, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.

Risner named the Bengals as one of his potential landing spots back in April. Months later, he will go to Cincinnati with the hopes of signing with his third NFL team. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Vikings and started 19 games amid their offensive line injuries.

Risner has been a starter for his entire six-year career, but he has struggled to garner commensurate interest as a free agent. He first hit the open market in 2023 as a four-year starter for the Broncos, but he didn’t sign in Minnesota until September. The Vikings re-signed him in May last offseason, but Risner has once again remained available deep into the preseason this year.

In Cincinnati, Risner can compete for a starting job at either guard spot. The Bengals’ current first-team guards, Lucas Patrick and Dylan Fairchild, were both acquired this offseason and have an early edge on 2024 holdovers Cordell Volson and Cody Ford. Patrick, an eight-year veteran, started 26 games for the Saints over the last two years, while Fairchild’s exploits as the University of Georgia’s left guard made him a third-round pick in April’s draft.

A poor showing from the Bengals’ offensive line on Monday night may give Risner some more leverage when negotiating a potential deal. Cincinnati has been looking to add interior OL depth, per Schultz, and Risner’s strong pedigree as a pass protector may be especially appealing in front of Joe Burrow.

Beanie Bishop, Robert Woods On Steelers’ Roster Bubble

August 19th, 2025 at 4:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Last season, the Steelers turned to a rookie UDFA as their primary slot cornerback. After some notable additions this offseason, Beanie Bishop is not expected to start again. He is also no longer assured of a roster spot.

Steelers DC Teryl Austin said (via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski) Bishop needs a standout finish to the preseason to “put himself back in the picture.” Being cut before Year 2 would be a quick fall for Bishop, who logged 548 defensive snaps as a rookie.

While Bishop lost his status as a defensive regular during the season’s final month, he logged at least 20 defensive snaps in 13 of Pittsburgh’s 17 games in 2024. Bishop intercepted four passes and broke up seven more as a rookie; Pro Football Focus graded him in the bottom half at the position, ranking the 5-foot-9 cover man 95th at the position.

The Steelers made a blockbuster trade for Jalen Ramsey, unloading Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire the versatile cover man. They had already added Darius Slay and Brandin Echols. The latter has spent most of his career on the boundary but did log 112 slot snaps in 2023. Ramsey has been one of this era’s top perimeter corners, but he has garnered increased slot usage over the past five years. Ramsey has played at least 169 slot snaps in four of the past five seasons, being regularly used at the Rams’ “star” position. A configuration in which Ramsey plays inside while Slay and Joey Porter Jr. work near the boundary makes sense for the Steelers.

Bishop has primarily lined up with the Steelers’ second-team defense during training camp, Adamski adds. Seventh-round pick Donte Kent also factors into the Steelers’ Bishop decision, with the competition for spots fiercer than it was at this time last year — when Cameron Sutton was facing an eight-game suspension to open the season.

The team also has some decisions to make at wide receiver. The Steelers have faced consistent questions about their post-George Pickens plan opposite D.K. Metcalf, but they have hosted Gabe Davis on two visits now — the second coming today. The team also has Roman Wilson back after a lost rookie season, and The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo notes Scotty Miller — an Arthur Smith charge in Atlanta — has been one of Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite targets during camp. These developments move Robert Woods toward Pittsburgh’s roster bubble, DeFabo adds.

Despite Woods’ accomplishments during a 12-year career, he played deep into the fourth quarter in the Steelers’ second preseason game. The Steelers gave Woods (20 catches, 203 yards last season) a one-year, $2MM deal but only guaranteed him $745K, lessening the dead money blow in the event he is cut by the August 26 deadline.

Calvin Austin is set to reprise his role as a starter, while the team also has Ben Skowronek rostered. Woods, 33, could become a practice squad stash, but it may not be a lock the former Bills, Rams, Titans and Texans wideout plays a 13th season. Conversely, DeFabo adds it would surprise if Miller (five receptions, 69 yards in 2024) did not make the roster.

WR Gabe Davis Expected To Visit Bills

August 19th, 2025 at 8:43am CST by Adam La Rose

The news of Gabe Davis lining up a second free agent visit with the Steelers pointed to a Pittsburgh agreement being highly likely. At least one other team is set to host the veteran wideout, however.

The Bills are expected to bring Davis in for a visit this week, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. Any deal worked out in the wake of that meeting would constitute a reunion between team and player. Davis’ first four seasons in the league came with Buffalo.

While playing out his rookie contract, the former fourth-round pick served as a key member of the Bills’ passing attack. Davis scored seven touchdowns in each of the 2022 and ’23 seasons, averaging 16.7 yards per reception during his tenure with the team. While his catch percentage (54.5%) across that span certainly left something to be desired, the 26-year-old was among the top wideouts in last year’s free agent class.

Davis landed a three-year, $39MM Jaguars pact on the open market as he expectedly departed Buffalo. Things did not go according to plan in Jacksonville, however, with the UCF product ultimately being released after one campaign with the team. The Steelers showed interest with a visit in June, using that opportunity to evaluate Davis’ injured knee. To no surprise, a medical follow-up is in store for his second visit, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes.

The Bills’ most lucrative free agent addition this offseason was receiver Josh Palmer. The former Charger is set to join returnees Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman as the top options in Buffalo’s passing game in 2025. A reunion with Davis would see him take on at least a rotational role, and as a familiar face to head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady a quick acclimation period late in the summer would be expected in the event of a deal.

Buffalo entered Tuesday at the bottom of the league in terms of cap space with roughly $1.36MM in available funds. That figure will change once roster cuts take place, but for now the Bills trail the Steelers ($19.23MM) in spending power by a wide margin. Davis is on course for a much less lucrative pact than his last one in any event, but it will be interesting to see if finances play a part in determining his fate over the coming days.

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