The Pittsburgh Steelers finished trimming their roster to the mandated league limit of 53 players ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline on Saturday after releasing seven players on Friday and trading Brad Wing to the New York Giants. In addition to cuts, the Steelers signed free agent cornerback Ross Cockrell.
The following players were on the list of releases Saturday: Jawon Chisholm (RB), Josh Harris (RB), Matt Conrath (DL), Jordan Dangerfield (S), Alden Darby (S), Gerod Holliman (S), Reese Dismukes (OL), B.J. Finney (OL), Doug Legursky (OL), B.W. Webb (CB), Shayon Green (LB). They join Shakim Phillips (WR), Jarrod West (WR), Howard Jones (OLB), L.J. Fort (LB), Ethan Hemer (DL), Mike Thornton (DL) and Kevin Fogg (CB).
Offensive linemen Mitchell Van Dyk and Kevin Palmer were placed on the Steelers’ waived/injured list.
Cockrell, a 6-0, 190 pound corner who played collegiate ball at Duke, was drafted in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills, but was released last month after playing in seven games his rookie season. The Steelers have assigned him jersey number 31. Cockrell was signed to a one-year contract.
The next deadline for the Steelers is Sunday, September 6, when they are allowed to sign ten players to their practice squad after 1 p.m. ET.
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DrGeorge
September 7, 2015 at 3:22 pm
Who knows if Cockrell is the answer? His signing surely illustrates that the coaching staff realizes the secondary needs a talent transfusion and doing nothing is not an option. The signing of C. Lyons (DE) is also part of that equation; the ability to pressure the QB has a direct effect on how long the secondary must cover receivers. Chickillo and Grant were released to make room for these additions, but look for both to be re-signed in the unlikely event they get through waivers.
None of the recent roster changes bolstered the Safety position, where Mitchell and Thomas have struggled in preseason. Whether these changes will prove adequate to tighten the tourniquet on the aerial bleeding witnessed in preseason will be answered when Mr. Brady takes the field Thursday night. At last report, Brady was so terrified by the prospect of facing the Steelers defense that, instead of watching game film, he and Gisele Bundchen were sending out Valentines on Instagram to squelch divorce rumors. Which is Brady’s way of saying, “Why worry? I can beat the Steelers’ D, even with a supermodel and Roger Goodell on my back.” The odds-makers in Las Vegas agree; they have the Patriots at 7 point favorites. Unless Brady injured his throwing arm while shaking his fist in Goodell’s face, that ought to be the easiest spread to cover since Secretariat went off 1-10 in the Belmont.
DaveB
September 7, 2015 at 7:01 pm
The Patriots win this game by at least 2 touchdowns . With no LeVeon Bell and no Martavis Bryant and a defense that looks completely lost , what chance do they have ?