Steelers sign fastest defensive player ever

The Steelers have a need for speed, and they certainly added a lot of it with their latest signing on Friday.

Pittsburgh signed defensive back Kalon Barnes to its practice squad. Barnes ran a 4.23 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2022, which is the fastest time by any defensive player ever and the second-fastest by any player behind only WR John Ross (4.22 in 2017).

Barnes is a former seventh-round pick who has yet to find his footing in the NFL, bouncing around teams for the past couple of years. The 24-year-old has spent time with the Vikings, Dolphins and Panthers, who drafted him.

However, things won't be any easier with the Steelers either. Pittsburgh rebuilt its cornerback room this offseason, adding veterans Patrick Peterson, Desmond King II and Chandon Sullivan as well as rookie second-round pick Joey Porter Jr.

It will likely take a few injuries or standout performances in practice for Barnes to find his way onto the Steelers' 53-man roster. However, he is used to facing adversity.

Barnes started as a wide receiver before transitioning to cornerback at Baylor and was not a starter until his senior season in 2021. He had 69 tackles, three interceptions and 14 passes defensed in his collegiate career.

Pittsburgh has seen several injuries to key players following its 30-7 loss to the 49ers in Week 1. So never say never, and Barnes certainly earned his way onto the team after the Steelers worked out a few players over the last few weeks.

Barnes joins Luq Barcoo as the only two cornerbacks on the practice squad after Pittsburgh released veteran Anthony Brown on Thursday.