Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James stretches during the first day of a three-day minicamp at the Don Hutson Center in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Steelers Sign Former Packers WR

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI
By Jack Markowski | Last updated Aug 4, 2026 11:16 AM ET

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a pair of wide receiver moves as they open their sixth practice of training camp.

Per an announcement from the Steelers, they've signed Jakobie Keeney-James. As the corresponding move, they waived/injured Cole Burgess after he went down with an apparent lower-body injury during the team's first practice of the week.

Keeney-James was among a group of skill position players whom Pittsburgh hosted for tryouts last week, and now he'll join the 90-man roster before the team's first preseason game on August 13 against the Green Bay Packers.

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Keeney-James' Background

Keeney-James' college career began at FCS program Eastern Washington in 2019, and he had a single catch as a true freshman for six yards while redshirting.

In 2020, he finished with 125 yards on 10 receptions before posting 246 yards and three touchdowns during the 2021 campaign.

Across eight games in 2022, Keeney-James logged 228 yards and a score on 18 catches. He then put up 220 yards on 15 receptions in 2023 before transferring out of Eastern Washington and landing at UMass.

During his lone season with the Minutemen, Keeney-James racked up 870 yards and six touchdowns over 51 catches.

He was not selected during the 2025 NFL Draft, though, and signed with the Detroit Lions. Keeney-James was released at final roster cuts and later signed to the Green Bay Packers' practice squad on September 23.

The 25-year-old was elevated to the active roster for the team's Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings, during which he hauled in two passes for 15 yards.

Keeney-James was later waived by the Packers on June 15 and did not latch on with another team before joining the Steelers.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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