Steelers add speedy WR after Diontae Johnson injury

Hours after head coach Mike Tomlin announced that star wide receiver Diontae Johnson will miss the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns, the club signed another wideout.

The Steelers have signed former Tennesse Titans and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jacob Copeland to their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday.

Copeland, 24, becomes the third receiver on the Steelers practice squad, joining Simi Fehoko and Dez Fitzpatrick.

In addition to Johnson’s injury, No. 5 wide receiver Miles Boykin was in a walking boot on Monday, so his status is up in the air for Monday night’s game against the Browns, as well. No. 6 wideout Gunner Olszewski figures to dress, but the team could also need a practice squad call-up this week.

A 5-foot-11, 201-pound Maryland alum, Copeland attended the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Combine in the pre-draft process, where the Steelers scouted him heavily. Area scout Mike Butler was also at his Pro Day.

He turned in an excelled Relative Athletic Score of 8.19, showing excellent straight-line speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (10-foot-7 broad jump) but below-average agility (4.47-second short shuttle). 

Copeland signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent, but was waived at the start of training camp on Aug. 2. He then signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but was released on cutdown day on Aug. 29.

To make room for Copeland, the Steelers released cornerback Luq Barcoo and running back Greg Bell from their practice squad, which now sits at 15 players, one short of the maximum of 16.