Steelers Could Add Future CB to Practice Squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers could add a younger veteran with some promise.
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers freed up two spots on their practice squad this week, releasing tight end Scotty Washington and guard Joey Fisher. This came hours after head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that this team doesn't just use their p-squad for developmental pieces. Sometimes, they add veterans who need to get adjusted. 

Well, the opportunity has presented itself to add a player who might fit the mold for both. 

At the same time that the Steelers were clearing space on their practice squad, the New York Jets were doing the same, releasing cornerback Craig James. James, 27, has had some opportunities in the NFL but never a significant chance to showcase his skills on defense. 

Since going undrafted out of Southern Illinois in 2018, he's played just 23 games, including one start. That start came this season, his first regular season game since 2020, when he started on the outside for the New York Jets. 

In that game, James logged 41 snaps and did not allow a reception. In his two games this season, he's allowed just a 33.3% completion rate for opposing quarterbacks. 

James doesn't move the needle much for the Steelers, but it does allow them to familiarize themselves with another piece they can use for the future. After signing a one-year deal in the offseason, the Steelers aren't guaranteed to continue working with James Pierre next year. But that's just one name in a cornerback room that should look completely different in 2024. 

The Steelers could move on from Pierre, Levi Wallace and maybe even Patrick Peterson - and you can add Chandon Sullivan to that list as well - next season. If they do, they're left with Joey Porter Jr., Darius Rush and Cory Trice Jr. Luq Barcoo remains on their practice squad, and you should imagine he'll have an opportunity to be there again next fall. 

James does nothing more than give the Steelers a veteran with special teams ability that could replace a player like Pierre in the future. And if the team's philosophy is to have options on the practice squad, why not add him now and allow him to adjust? 

This is nowhere near an "exciting" move for the Steelers, but an easy one to fit their philosophy. Why not bring in a young veteran who could turn out to be the next round of cornerbacks in Pittsburgh? 

There's no risk and maybe some reward in signing James. And if the Steelers are thinking ahead, it makes sense to fill a spot with him. 

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Noah Strackbein
NOAH STRACKBEIN

Noah is the Publisher for All Steelers, Inside the Panthers (InsideThePanthers.com) and Inside the Penguins (InsidethePenguins.com), and is the host of All Steelers Talk (YouTube.com/AllSteelersTalk). A Scranton native, Noah made his way to the Pittsburgh sports scene in 2017. Now, he's pretty much full-yinzer.