Steelers Add A Pair Of New Faces To The Practice Squad

Washington didn't have his name called in the 2020 NFL Draft, but was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons on their practice squad before he was released in the 2022 offseason. He joined the New England Patriots practice squad in 2022 and was elevated to the active roster for the Patriots regular season game against his former team on Christmas Eve. During the contest, he tipped a deep pass on a third and 29 from Mac Jones into the hands of receiver Jakobi Meyers for a touchdown. The Patriots signed him to a reserves/futures contract before the 2023 season, but released him in August. He had been a free agent since his release. 

The Steelers' other new addition Caleb Johnson comes to the team via the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he has played a special teams role for the past two seasons. The San Diego, California native played four seasons of college ball at Houston Baptist before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2021. He spent one season in Chicago before he was waived and picked up by the Jaguars. He has one forced fumble in his career coming against the Kansas City Chiefs on a kickoff return during a regular season game in 2022.

Steelers Reasons For The Two Additions

The Steelers' depth at tight end could be a big motivation for adding Washington to the squad. Top pass-catching option Pat Freiermuth remains sidelined with a hamstring injury that has him on the injured reserve list until further notice. Connor Heyward is a fun versatile piece for the Pittsburgh offense, but is limited as a true blocking option due to his small stature. Rookie Darnell Washington has been used primarily as a blocker and has been limited in the passing game so far with only three targets. Rodney Williams has been bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad since Freiermuth's injury. Williams has had only 15 snaps on offense in the two games he has played, but has been a contributor on special teams and almost recovered a blocked punt by Miles Killebrew in the end zone that would've been a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. 

Johnson, on the other hand, looks to be an extra body at the linebacker position. If he's ever elevated to the active roster, it would be for his special teams ability. Pittsburgh has a pretty full group at linebacker with veterans Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, and Mark Robinson, but could use an extra body if one of them goes down. Holcomb was banged up, but returned to the game against the Los Angeles Rams, so his availability in the short term might be in question.