Steelers C Zach Frazier Facing Multi-Week Absence
As the Steelers determine their Week 7 quarterback, Justin Fields or Russell Wilson will be taking snaps from a different center. Zach Frazier will become the second Steelers center this season to miss time.
A second-round rookie, Frazier stepped into Pittsburgh’s starting lineup due to Nate Herbig‘s rotator cuff tear in August. Frazier has started the team’s first six games, but an ankle injury will sideline the rookie for a bit. While officially given a week-to-week timetable, Frazier will miss multiple games, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac.
Frazier’s earliest return window looks to be after Pittsburgh’s Week 9 bye. A Week 10 return would allow the Steelers to avoid using an injury activation, as Frazier would miss just two games. An IR placement would knock Frazier out until Week 12, and Dulac did not confirm Frazier would be set to return in Week 10. If Frazier is indeed expected to miss more time following the bye week, the Steelers will assuredly consider placing him on IR this weekend.
This has not been a good year for Steelers O-line health, yet the team has withstood these maladies to start 4-2. Frazier’s injury follows Troy Fautanu‘s more significant setback. The first-round rookie tackle is out for at least the entire regular season, having seen a multi-injury year lead to what may well be a lost season. Fautanu is not out of the picture for the playoffs, though Herbig is on season-ending IR. The Steelers also did not have Isaac Seumalo in their lineup until Week 5. They did not use IR for the left guard, but he still missed four games. To top this off, contract-year right guard James Daniels is out for the season with an Achilles tear.
Among Steelers starters, only Dan Moore Jr. will enter Week 7 having not missed any time this season. Broderick Jones, who has started five games, has also appeared in all six. Frazier’s absence will lead to Ryan McCollum starting, Mike Tomlin said this week. A 2021 Texans UDFA who caught on with the Steelers in 2022, McCollum has played in all six Pittsburgh games this season. The 26-year-old blocker has made one career start — with the Lions three years ago — and did not see any game action in 2022 or ’23.
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.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/23
Here are the day’s minor transactions heading into Week 5:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: RB Corey Clement, DL Ben Stille
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: WR Xavier Malone
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: RB Kenyan Drake, WR Laquon Treadwell
- Placed on IR: DB Daryl Worley
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, DT Kendal Vickers
- Placed on IR: CB Tre’Davious White (story)
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Cincinnati Bengals
- Elevated: WR Kwamie Lassiter
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: S P.J. Locke
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: OLB Julian Okwara
- Activated from exempt/commissioner permission: WR Jameson Williams
- Elevated: WR Dylan Drummond
- Placed on IR: FB Jason Cabinda
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: WR Parker Washington
- Activated from exempt/commissioner permission: T Cam Robinson
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: DE Chase Winovich
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: WR N’Keal Harry
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: G Tommy Kraemer
- Elevated: S Johnathan Abram, S Daniel Sorensen
- Waived: RB Tony Jones Jr.
New York Giants
- Elevated: G Jalen Mayfield, T Jaylon Thomas
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Irvin Charles, CB Craig James
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: P Braden Mann, CB Bradley Roby
- Placed on IR: G Cam Jurgens (story)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Elevated: OL Ryan McCollum, P Brad Wing
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: DE Austin Bryant, CB Kendall Sheffield
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: WR Kyle Philips
- Elevated: S Dane Cruikshank, DT Jaleel Johnson
Steelers Set 53-Man Roster
The Steelers have made many of their cuts already. Here are the rest of Pittsburgh’s moves to trim their roster to the 53-man limit. Some of these players are likely to end up on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Those 16-man units will be set Wednesday, with waivers processing at 11am CT.
Released:
- TE Zach Gentry
- LB Nick Kwiatkoski
Waived:
- CB Luq Barcoo
- RB Greg Bell
- WR Jordan Byrd
- DL Breiden Fehoko
- WR Dez Fitzpatrick
- DL Jonathan Marshall
- OL Ryan McCollum
- S Tre Norwood
- LB David Perales
- LB Quincy Roche
- DB Trenton Thompson
- RB Xazavian Valladay
- CB Chris Wilcox
- TE Rodney Williams
The Steelers made several cuts in the days leading up to the deadline, while also sending Kendrick Green to the Texans and Kevin Dotson to the Rams. Kwiatkoski is the biggest name among their final-day moves.
A Pittsburgh-area native, Kwiatkoski signed with his hometown team midway through the offseason, adding him to a revamped linebacking corps. Pittsburgh shuttled out the likes of Myles Jack, Devin Bush and Robert Spillane — via releases (Jack) or free agency defections — and added Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. A former part-time Bears and Raiders starter who spent last season with the Falcons, Kwiatkoski, 30, returns to free agency.
Gentry worked as a Steelers starter alongside Pat Freiermuth for the past two seasons. The former fifth-round pick caught 19 passes in each of the past two campaigns. It is possible Gentry, as a vested veteran, returns after the Steelers take care of other roster business. As of now, only two tight ends — Freiermuth and third-round pick Darnell Washington — are on the 53-man roster.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/10/23
Many teams started signing players to reserve/futures contracts yesterday, allowing the organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
Carolina Panthers
- CB Herb Miller
Chicago Bears
- WR Daurice Fountain, DT Donovan Jeter
Denver Broncos
Green Bay Packers
- TE Austin Allen, WR Jeff Cotton, T Jean Delance, QB Danny Etling, CB Tyrell Ford, CB Benjie Franklin, RB Tyler Goodson, TE Nick Guggemos, LB La’Darius Hamilton, DL Chris Slayton, CB Kiondre Thomas, K Parker White, S James Wiggins
Houston Texans
- WR Alex Bachman, RB Gerrid Doaks, WR Drew Estrada, WR Johnny Johnson III, DL Adedayo Odeleye, DB D’Angelo Ross, TE Mason Schreck
Indianapolis Colts
New England Patriots
- LB Terez Hall, DB Brad Hawkins, OL Hayden Howerton, DB Quandre Mosely, LB Calvin Munson, WR Tre Nixon, DL Jeremiah Pharms Jr., DL LaBryan Ray, TE Matt Sokol, RB J.J. Taylor, TE Scotty Washington
New York Jets
- DT Tanzel Smart
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, DB Duke Dawson, G William Dunkle, LB Emeke Egbule, RB Jason Huntley, C Ryan McCollum, DB Scott Nelson, RB Master Teague, WR Cody White, TE Rodney Williams
Tennessee Titans
- DT Curtis Brooks, CB Shyheim Carter, OL Zack Johnson, WR Mason Kinsey, OLB Zach McCloud, TE Thomas Odukoya, OLB Sam Okuayinonu, DL Jayden Peevy, WR Reggie Roberson, OL Andrew Rupcich, K Caleb Shudak
Washington Commanders
- FB Alex Armah
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/22
Today’s practice squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Jordan Miller, DT Justin Zimmer
- Released DT C.J. Brewer, DT Prince Emili
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL Jalyn Holmes
- Released: K Michael Badgley
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Sam Kamara
- Released: DE Curtis Weaver
Detroit Lions
- Signed: TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Signed: Davion Davis
- Released: WR Chris Conley
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: WR Corey Coleman
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Blake Martinez
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: WR Travis Toivonen, DL Jaylen Twyman
New England Patriots
- Signed: QB Garrett Gilbert
- Released: WR Laquon Treadwell
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DB Jordan Brown, RB Adam Prentice
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: K Cameron Dicker
- Released: TE Dalton Keene
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL Ryan McCollum, DB Scott Nelson
- Released: P Jordan Berry, WR Jaquarii Roberson
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: CB Quandre Mosely
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DB Shyheim Carter, RB Julius Chestnut
- Released: OL Christian DiLauro
Washington Commanders
- Signed: G Keaton Sutherland
- Released: C Jon Toth
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/30/22
Pittsburgh was the only team to adjust their practice squad today:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Mark Gilbert
- Released: C Ryan McCollum
Gilbert is returning for his third stint with the Steelers after being released from the practice squad 10 days ago. He started in the NFL when Pittsburgh signed him as an undrafted free agent last year. He ended up on the practice squad but was signed off of it by the Lions in October. He appeared in eight games for Detroit, but only had significant playing time in one game: the matchup against his former team, the Steelers, which ended in a tie. In the game, Gilbert showed his old team his worth with three tackles, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed. Perhaps the Steelers felt it was a good time to bring Gilbert back as starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon hasn’t practiced all week with a hamstring injury.
McCollum oddly also has ties to Detroit. After originally signing last year as an undrafted free agent with the Texans, McCollum was signed off their practice squad by the Lions after Week 4. McCollum played in every remaining game for Detroit, mostly on special teams, and even started a Week 14 contest against the Broncos.
Steelers Trim Roster To 53
The Steelers had a number of difficult decisions to make leading up to the 53-man roster deadline, including the status of Mason Rudolph. The team ended up holding on to the quarterback, but the front office still had to cut a number of players to get to the roster limit:
Released:
- LB Marcus Allen
- OL Chaz Green
- OL Joe Haeg
- CB Justin Layne
- RB Anthony McFarland
- OL Trent Scott
Waived:
- RB Max Borghi
- LB Ron’Dell Carter
- DT Carlos Davis
- DL Khalil Davis
- OL William Dunkle
- OL Adrian Ealy
- DL Donovan Jeter
- LB Buddy Johnson
- OL John Leglue
- OL Ryan McCollum
- DL Henry Mondeaux
- TE Kevin Rader
- LB Hamilcar Rashed
- DB Elijah Riley
- LB Delontae Scott
- WR Tyler Snead
- DB Chris Steele
- DB Linden Stephens
- TE Jace Sternberger
- WR Tyler Vaughns
- LB James Vaughters
- WR Cody White
Waived/injured:
Marcus Allen, a 2018 fifth-round pick, appeared in 33 games for Pittsburgh over the past four seasons. Justin Layne was a 2019 third-round pick by the Steelers, with the majority of his 43 appearances coming on special teams. Anthony McFarland was also a former Steelers draft pick, while Trent Scott was brought in this offseason to compete for an OL spot. Joe Haeg started two of his 12 appearances for the Steelers in 2021.
Henry Mondeaux spent the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, getting into 26 total games (two starts). After mostly seeing a special teams role during his rookie campaign, the defensive tackle saw more opportunities on defense in 2021, finishing with 16 tackles and two sacks. Buddy Johnson was a fourth-round pick in the 2021 draft. The linebacker got into four games as a rookie, collecting two tackles. Carlos Davis was a seventh-round pick by the Steelers in 2020. The defensive tackle collected 11 tackles in 11 games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/16/22
With the NFL dropping the roster limit to 85 players today, we’ve got a long list of minor moves to pass along:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: TE Tucker Fisk, LB Rashad Smith, DB Tre Webb, P Seth Vernon
- Placed on IR: CB Cornell Armstrong
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: QB Brett Hundley
- Placed on IR: LB Trent Harris
Buffalo Bills
- Released: CB Tim Harris, LB Marquel Lee
Carolina Panthers
- Released from IR: DE Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
Chicago Bears
- Signed: S Jon Alexander, OL Corey Dublin
- Waived: LB Noah Dawkins, TE Rysen John
- Waived/injured: S Michael Joseph, CB Jayson Stanley, LB Javin White
- Placed on IR: C Doug Kramer
Cleveland Browns
- Claimed off waivers (from Saints): WR Easop Winston
- Released: DT Sheldon Day
- Waived/injured: OT Elijah Nkansah
- Placed on IR: C Dawson Deaton, C Nick Harris (story)
- Released from IR: LB Silas Kelly
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from PUP: LB Anthony Barr
- Placed on IR: FB Ryan Nall
Denver Broncos
- Waived: RB Max Borghi, WR Kaden Davis, WR Travis Fulgham, S Jamar Johnson, TE Rodney Williams
- Released from IR: RB Tyreik McAllister
Detroit Lions
- Waived: WR Josh Johnson
- Waived/injured: S Brady Breeze
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): TE Nate Becker
- Released: RB BJ Baylor, LB Ellis Brooks, TE Dominique Dafney, G George Moore, LB Randy Ramsey
Houston Texans
- Waived: DL Damion Daniels
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: Isaiah Ford
- Waived: OT Brandon Kemp, CB Alexander Myres, WR Michael Young
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: RB Nathan Cottrell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: DL Austin Edwards, WR Devin Gray
- Reverted to IR: WR Gary Jennings
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: P Cameron Dicker, OT Adrian Ealy, QB Luis Perez, TE Jamal Pettigrew, DB Caesar Dancy-Williams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Waived: CB Nate Brooks, DE Gerri Green, OT Tyrone Wheatley
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: OL Cole Banwart, WR DeVonte Dedmon, DL Jordan Williams
- Waived/injured: CB Tino Ellis
- Placed on IR: TE Adam Shaheen
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: CB Tye Smith
- Waived: FB Jake Bargas, LB Andre Mintze
- Waived/injured: WR Thomas Hennigan, DL Tyarise Stevenson
New York Giants
- Waived: TE Jeremiah Hall, DB Gavin Heslop
- Waived/injured: WR Austin Proehl
New York Jets
- Released: DB Luq Barcoo, WR Rashard Davis, OL Derrick Kelly, DE Timmy Ward
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived/injured: WR Lance Lenoir, S Jared Mayden, CB Jimmy Moreland
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: G William Dunkle
- Claimed off waivers: C Ryan McCollum
- Waived: DT Doug Costin, OT Jake Dixon, C Nate Gilliam, P Cameron Nizialek, C Chris Owens
- Placed on IR: S Karl Joseph
- Released from IR: WR Javon McKinley
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Released: DB Ross Cockrell
- Waived: TE Ben Beise, OL Curtis Blackwell, WR Kameron Brown
- Waived/injured: OL Jonathan Hubbard, OLB JoJo Ozougwu
Washington Commanders
- Released: CB Troy Apke, CB De’Vante Bausby, G Deion Calhoun
- Placed on IR: FB Alex Armah, TE Sammis Reyes
- Released from IR: WR Jequez Ezzard
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/22
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: RB Corey Clement
- Waived: CB Robert Jackson
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: LB Kamal Martin
- Waived (injury settlement): CB Devin Jones
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DE Carson Taylor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: C Ben Brown
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: WR Derrick Dillon
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: DT Austin Faoliu
- Waived (injury designation): TE Ian Bunting, FB Ryan Nall, WR Ty Fryfogle, CB Kyron Brown
Denver Broncos
- Waived (injury designation): OL Ben Braden
Detroit Lions
- Released: TE Garrett Griffin
- Waived: TE Nolan Givan, C Ryan McCollum
Green Bay Packers
- Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): TE Nate Becker
- Waived: LB Randy Ramsey, C Cole Schneider, CB Donte Vaughn
Houston Texans
- Waived: LS Harrison Elliott, RB B.J. Emmons
- Released: WR Chad Beebe
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from PUP list: WR Mike Strachan
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived (injury designation): K Elliott Fry
- Waived: RB Matt Colburn, QB Jake Luton, WR Ryan McDaniel, DE Wyatt Ray
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived (injury designation): DT Forrest Merrill, OC Isaac Weaver
- Waived: WR Maurice Ffrench, QB Brandon Peters, S Skyler Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: NT Niles Scott
- Placed on IR: CB Trill Williams (story)
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DE Niko Lalos, DT Jaleel Johnson
- Placed on IR: OT Ethan Greenidge
- Waived (injury settlement): DB Bryce Thompson
- Waived (injury designation): DB Jordan Brown, S Isaiah Pryor
- Waived: DE T.J. Carter, S Jack Koerner, DE Scott Patchan, K John Parker Romo, WR Easop Winston
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Bills): CB Olaijah Griffin
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Keshunn Abram
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB James Vaughters
- Waived (injury designation): LB Tuzar Skipper
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: DT Tomasi Laulile, WR KeeSean Johnson, RB Josh Hokit
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from active/PUP list: OT Liam Ryan
- Placed on IR: WR Cody Thompson
- Waived: CB Josh Valentine-Turner, DT Antonio Valentino, OL Eric Wilson, WR Deontez Alexander
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Patrick Laird
- Placed on IR: RB Kenjon Barner
- Waived: TE Ben Beise
Washington Commanders
- Activated from active/PUP list: OT Cornelius Lucas