Steelers Sign G Max Scharping Off Commanders’ Practice Squad
In need of depth along the interior offensive line, the Steelers have brought in veteran reinforcements. Max Scharping was signed to Pittsburgh’s roster off the Commanders’ practice squad, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The move is now official. 
Left guard Isaac Seumalo has yet to play this season as he rehabs a torn rotator cuff. Pittsburgh elected not to place him on injured reserve, meaning a return could be close. Still, Pittsburgh’s offensive line is not at full strength and will not be for the remainder of the campaign. Right guard James Daniels suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4, and he will be out for the rest of the season.
Starting center Nate Herbig is also out of the picture after he suffered a torn rotator cuff before the start of the campaign. Second-round rookie Zach Frazier has handled first-team duties in his absence while playing with multiple contributors at the guard spots. Scharping could enter that mix in his return to the AFC North.
The 28-year-old is a veteran of 79 games and 33 starts across his time with the Texans and Bengals. Scharping saw heavy usage in Houston compared to his sparse role in Cincinnati, which limited his market value this offseason. He signed with the Eagles in a bid to land a roster spot, but Philadelphia cut him in advance of Week 1. That led to a practice squad deal with the Commanders. Scharping has not seen game action this year, however, and he will look to secure a role in Pittsburgh moving forward.
In a corresponding move, the Steelers placed Daniels on injured reserve. The team also released defensive backs Jalen Elliott and Darius Rush from the 53-man roster as part of its collection of Tuesday transactions. Scharping may not be used in a starting capacity, but he figures to have a role in relatively short order as Pittsburgh looks to find a healthy combination up front.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/24
Thursday’s minor moves around the league:
Carolina Panthers
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Stephen Sullivan
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: DT Carlos Davis
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LS Rex Sunahara
- Waived: CB Faion Hicks
Dallas Cowboys
- Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Corey Crooms
Green Bay Packers
- Reverted to IR: CB Don Callis, WR Rory Starkey
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: DE Breeland Speaks
- Waived (injury designation): DE De’Shaan Dixon
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Tommy Hudson
New York Jets
- Reverted to IR: WR Hamze El-Zayat
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Jalen Elliott
- Waived (injury designation): S Nate Meadors
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DT Mario Kendricks, CB Willie Roberts
- Waived: DT Rodney Matthews
- Waived (injury designation): DT Matt Gotel
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: G Ryan Johnson
- Placed on IR: G Silas Dzansi
Dixon exited Jacksonville’s Tuesday practice early, and head coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Thursday he has suffered a torn ACL. The former UDFA started his career with the Jaguars, making three appearances as a rookie in 2022. He resided on the team’s practice squad last season, and he could remain in the organization by reverting to IR in the event he goes unclaimed.
Speaks will take Dixon’s place as he aims to translate an effective UFL campaign into a return to NFL action. The 28-year-old earned Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing for the Michigan Panthers. He collected 9.5 sacks in the spring, and that production has landed him the chance to carve out a roster spot with Jacksonville. Speaks last played with the Chiefs in 2018.
Steelers Bring Back LB Tyler Matakevich
After four seasons in Buffalo, Tyler Matakevich is coming back to where his NFL journey began. The Steelers announced a reunion with the veteran linebacker Wednesday. It is a one-year deal.
Role players regularly land deals with teams around the time training camps start, and Matakevich having played four seasons in Pittsburgh stands to help his cause when it comes to landing on the team’s 53-man roster (or 16-man practice squad). The Steelers drafted Matakevich in the 2016 seventh round. This marks the second straight year he has signed a one-year contract.
Matakevich, 31, returns to a team that has made major changes at linebacker since he was last in town. The team’s GM (Omar Khan) and DC (Teryl Austin) have changed as well, though Mike Tomlin is going into his 18th season as the team’s head coach. Pittsburgh signed Patrick Queen this offseason and returns 2023 free agency pickup Elandon Roberts. Cole Holcomb, however, is still recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered last November. The Steelers have not re-signed 2023 starter Kwon Alexander, either, though they did draft NC State’s Payton Wilson in Round 3.
A starting role should not be considered likely for Matakevich, who has made his NFL living on special teams. The Temple alum has started one game in eight seasons, but he has missed just two career contests and lined up as an ST regular throughout. Matakevich has hit the 80% snap rate on special teams three times, including in 2021 and 2023 with the Bills.
In 17 games last season, Matakevich played just 16 defensive snaps. But he has not dipped below the 75% ST snap rate since 2018. The ninth-year vet seems a good bet to avoid the practice squad, having been an active-roster player throughout his career. The Steelers would have that option, however, though they could also have a roster spot due to a Holcomb placement on the reserve/PUP list. With the 2023 UFA’s availability for the season in doubt, a spot does appear open. To make room on their 90-man roster, the Steelers waived safety Jalen Elliott.
NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/17/24
Wednesday’s reserve/futures contracts:
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
- WR Martavis Bryant, RB Snoop Conner, RB Malik Davis
Indianapolis Colts
Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins
Pittsburgh Steelers
- CB Luq Barcoo, T Tyler Beach, WR Marquez Callaway, FB Jack Colletto, T Kellen Diesch, S Jalen Elliott, G Joey Fisher, WR Dez Fitzpatrick, T Devery Hamilton, T Anderson Hardy, WR Keilahn Harris, DL Jonathan Marshall, C Ryan McCollum, WR Denzel Mims, RB Aaron Shampklin, DT Jacob Slade, WR Duece Watts
Bryant joined the Cowboys in November, and though he didn’t appear in any games, Bryant left a good impression in Dallas after several weeks on the practice squad. He was released late in the season as the team shuffled the roster a bit but makes his return to Dallas for the offseason.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/23
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: WR Daniel Arias
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: RB Jake Funk
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OT Badara Traore
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DT Chris Williams
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DB Keidron Smith
- Released from IR: S Dallin Leavitt
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DE Zach McCloud, WR Jaydon Mickens, WR Juwann Winfree
- Released: G Lewis Kidd
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB E.J. Perry
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Darius Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Marquan McCall
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB William Hooper, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Jacques Patrick
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DB Jalen Elliott
- Designated to return from IR: S Elijah Riley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Vi Jones
- Released: LS Evan Deckers
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: C James Empey, G Jordan Roos
Washington Commanders
- Signed: LS Tucker Addington
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/31/23
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad transactions in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Vitaliy Gurman, RB Hassan Hall
- Placed on practice squad IR: WR Jeff Smith, RB Damien Williams
- Released: DT Jacob Slade, CB Quavian White
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DT Kendal Vickers
Chicago Bears
- Released: CB Joejuan Williams
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: T Geron Christian, RB Kenyan Drake, WR James Proche
- Released: RB Nate McCrary, RB Jordan Wilkins
- Placed on practice squad IR: T Ty Nsekhe
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: G Dakoda Shepley
Houston Texans
- Signed: C Lecitus Smith, RB J.J. Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Ike Boettger
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released with injury designation: LB Isaiah Moore
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: K James McCourt
New York Giants
- Signed: QB Matt Barkley
- Released: T Jaylon Thomas
New York Jets
- Signed: DE Jalyn Holmes
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Jalen Elliott
- Released: LB David Perales
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Jesse Davis
- Released: CB Kendall Sheffield
Seattle Seahawks
- Signing: S Jonathan Sutherland
- Released: NT Carl Davis, RB SaRodorick Thompson Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Chance Campbell, S Shyheim Carter
Washington Commanders
- Signed: C Nolan Laufenberg
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/28/23
We are less than 24 hours from the deadline for NFL teams to trim their rosters to 53 players. Here are the latest moves teams have made as they pare their squads down toward the in-season limit:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: DB DeAndre Houston-Carson
- Waived: DT Trey Botts, DB Kaieem Caesar, WR Dontay Demus, OL Jake Guidone, DB Corey Mayfield, LB Kelle Sanders
Chicago Bears
- Waived: LB Kuony Deng, OL Gabe Houy, LB Buddy Johnson, TE Jared Pinkney, WR Joe Reed, TE Jake Tonges
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: G Drew Forbes
- Released: G Wes Martin
Dallas Cowboys
- Released: DE Ben Banogu
Denver Broncos
- Waived: ILB Austin Ajiake
Detroit Lions
- Waived: OL Connor Galvin, CB Chase Lucas
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: LB Donavan Mutin, DT Caleb Sampson, OL Dakoda Shepley
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: WR Kevin Austin, FB Derek Parish, QB Nathan Rourke
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: LB Tae Crowder, QB Max Duggan
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: LB Kelechi Anyalebechi, WR Braxton Burmeister, DB Timarcus Davis, DB Tyon Davis, DB Vincent Gray, WR Tyler Hudson, DB Tanner Ingle, DB Jordan Jones, G Sean Maginn, WR Lance McCutcheon, TE Camren McDonald, TE Christian Sims, DT Taron Vincent
- Waived/injured: LB Ryan Smenda
Miami Dolphins
- Released from IR via injury settlement: DB Tino Ellis
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: LB Jake Gervase
- Waived: DL Calvin Avery, CB Kalon Barnes, CB C.J. Coldon, T Christian DiLauro, CB Jameson Houston, WR Garett Maag, RB Abram Smith, OL Josh Sokol, QB Jordan Ta’amu, TE Colin Thompson
- Waived/injured: CB Tay Gowan
New England Patriots
- Waived: P Corliss Waitman
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Nick Anderson, WR Kawaan Baker, FB Jake Bargas, DT Prince Emili
New York Giants
- Waived/injured: G Jack Anderson, G Wyatt Davis, DB Zyon Gilbert
- Placed on IR: TE Chris Myarick
New York Jets
- Released: CB Craig James, OL Greg Senat, LB Pita Taumoepenu
- Placed on IR: CB Jimmy Moreland
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: OL Le’Raven Clark
- Waived: OL William Dunkle, S Jalen Elliott, RB Darius Hagans, CB Lavert Hill, DL Manny Jones, QB Tanner Morgan, LB Tanner Muse, LB Toby Ndukwe, S Kenny Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: CB Arquon Bush, TE Griffin Hebert, WR Tyjon Lindsey, T Jalen McKenzie, T Liam Ryan
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: WR Taye Barber, LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, RB Ronnie Brown, DB Anthony Chesley, TE Dominique Dafney, WR Kaylon Geiger, WR Cephus Johnson, WR Ryan Miller, OL John Molchon, OL Michael Niese, T Raiqwon O’Neal, DL Willington Previlon, DL Deadrin Senat, S Nolan Turner, WR Kade Warner, CB Rodarius Williams, S Aaron Young
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: TE Alize Mack, DB Josh Thompson, RB Jonathan Ward
- Placed on IR: RB Hassan Haskins
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/23
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: K Matthew Wright
- Waived: OL B.J. Wilson
- Waived/failed physical: DE Jalen Redmond
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Lachlan Pitts, LB Barrington Wade
- Waived: K Andre Szmyt
- Waived/injured: TE Jake Tonges
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: WR Jesse Matthews
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from active/PUP list: DE Tyquan Lewis
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: T Matt Kaskey
New England Patriots
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Trey Flowers
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: TE J.P. Holtz
New York Jets
- Claimed (from Buccaneers): T Grant Hermanns
- Signed: DE Pita Taumoepenu
- Released: DT Isaiah Mack
- Waived/injured: T Yodny Cajuste
- Reverted to IR: QB Chris Streveler
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: WR Johnny King
- Waived: T Chim Okorafor
- Activated from active/PUP list: WR Devon Allen
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Jalen Elliott
- Waived/injured: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Jeremy McNichols
- Waived: RB Ronald Awatt
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived/injured: CB Andrew Whitaker
Washington Commanders
- Signed: P Colby Wadman
- Placed on IR: DT Curtis Brooks
Flowers, who agreed to terms with the Patriots earlier today after a workout, suffered a foot injury in October of last season. That setback cut short a Dolphins run after four games. Flowers, who will turn 30 next week, last played for the Patriots in 2018.
McNichols joined Duke Johnson, Brian Hill and Jason Huntley at a recent 49ers workout. The 49ers are without Elijah Mitchell for what is expected to be a short stretch. A five-year veteran, McNichols most recently saw action for the Titans in 2021, helping the team as a pass-catching back (28 grabs for 240 yards) while Derrick Henry missed time with a foot fracture.
Allen suffered an injury while competing in the opening rounds of the 110-meter hurdles competition at the USA Track and Field Championships in July. The two-time Olympian owns the sixth-fastest hurdle time this year (13.04 seconds) but missed a key chunk of Eagles camp. This marks his second bid to make Philadelphia’s 53-man roster. Allen, 28, spent last season on the Eagles’ practice squad and stayed with the team via a reserve/futures contract in February.
The Panthers’ regular kicker, Eddy Pineiro, is battling a groin injury. Carolina gave Pineiro, their 2022 kicker, $2.25MM guaranteed earlier this offseason. The Jaguars’ primary kicker in 2021, Wright kicked in four Steelers games and two Chiefs contests last season.
A rookie UDFA, Whittaker suffered a torn patellar tendon in a recent Seahawks practice, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Matthews also sustained a season-ending injury — a torn ACL — during a Texans workout, Wilson adds (on Twitter).
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/1/23
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: P Joseph Charlton
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: S Tyree Gillespie, OL Jimmy Murray
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: S Jalen Elliott, T Sebastian Gutierrez
Charlton, who spent training camp with the Browns last year, has not seen game action since the 2021 season. The South Carolina alum spent the 2020 season as the Panthers’ full-time punter. The Browns signed ex-Colt Corey Bojorquez to be their punter earlier this offseason.
Gillespie signed a reserve/futures deal with the Jaguars in January. The young defensive back landed in Jacksonville after the Titans waived him last summer. Tennessee had previously acquired Gillespie from the Raiders via trade. The former fourth-round Raiders pick played in three Jags games last season.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/9/23
18 teams had their seasons come to an end yesterday, and their front offices have already turned the page to the 2023 NFL seaon. This started today, as a number of players were signed to reserve/futures contracts, which allows organizations to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. Here are today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
- T Julien Davenport, S Juju Hughes, LB Blake Lynch, TE Chris Pierce, TE Bernhard Seikovits, G Lachavious Simmons, WR Auden Tate, S Josh Thomas, T Badara Traore, WR Javon Wims
Atlanta Falcons
- WR Josh Ali, RB BJ Baylor, OLB Quinton Bell, DL Amani Bledsoe, LB Dorian Etheridge, TE Tucker Fisk, CB Javelin Guidry, CB Matt Hankins, OL Jonotthan Harrison, WR Ra’Shaun Henry, LB Nathan Landman, DB Dylan Mabin, CB Jamal Peters, TE John Raine, FB Clint Ratkovich, CB John Reid, OL Justin Shaffer, OL Tyler Vrabel
Buffalo Bills
- WR Isaiah Coulter, DE Kendal Vickers
Carolina Panthers
- G Deonte Brown, RB Spencer Brown, DE Kobe Jones, LB Arron Mosby, TE Giovanni Ricci, WR C.J. Saunders, TE Stephen Sullivan, DT Raequan Williams, WR Derek Wright
Chicago Bears
- TE Chase Allen, S Adrian Colbert, LB Kuony Deng, T Kellen Diesch, DE Gerri Green, TE Jake Tonges, WR Nsimba Webster
Cleveland Browns
- WR Daylen Baldwin, S Bubba Bolden, WR Mike Harley, LB Storey Jackson, DE Sam Kamara, RB John Kelly, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DT Roderick Perry, WR Marquez Stevenson, T Tyrone Wheatley
Denver Broncos
- WR Victor Bolden, G Parker Ferguson, CB Faion Hicks, CB Delonte Hood, S Devon Key, RB Tyreik McAllister, OLB Wyatt Ray, OL Hunter Thedford, LB Ray Wilborn
Detroit Lions
- WR Maurice Alexander, WR Stanley Berryhill, T Obinna Eze, S Brady Breeze, CB Khalil Dorsey, RB Jermar Jefferson, WR Tom Kennedy, T Darrin Paulo, DT Demetrius Taylor, CB Jarren Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- DT McTelvin Agim, S Henry Black, S Marcel Dabo, S Trevor Denbow, G Arlington Hambright, T Jordan Murray, LB Segun Olubi, LB Forrest Rhyne, RB Aaron Shampklin, WR Vyncint Smith, CB David Vereen, TE Jalen Wydermyer
Kansas City Chiefs
- WR Ty Fryfogle
Las Vegas Raiders
- CB Isiah Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, P Julian Diaz, S Jalen Elliott, TE Cole Fotheringham, G Vitaliy Gurman, T Sebastian Gutierrez, WR Chris Lacy, LB Kana’i Mauga, G Jordan Meredith, WR DJ Turner, RB Austin Walter, WR Isaiah Zuber
Los Angeles Rams
- TE Roger Carter, DL T.J. Carter, CB T.J. Carter, S Richard LeCounte, T Max Pircher, WR Jaquarii Roberson, WR Jerreth Sterns, DE Brayden Thomas, DE Zach VanValkenburg
New Orleans Saints
- G Yasir Durant, DT Prince Emili, RB Derrick Gore, CB Vincent Gray, TE Lucas Krull, QB Jake Luton, LB Nephi Sewell, DE Jabari Zuniga
New York Jets
- OL Chris Glaser, CB Craig James, CB Jimmy Moreland, DL Marquiss Spencer, QB Chris Streveler, LB Chazz Surratt, WR Malik Taylor
Washington Commanders
- CB Troy Apke, DE William Bradley-King, WR Alex Erickson, CB DaMarcus Fields, QB Jake Fromm, G Nolan Laufenberg, WR Kyric McGowan, T Aaron Monteiro, G Keaton Sutherland