The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ cornerback competition has devolved into a war of attrition, highlighted by the unexpected release of veteran cornerback Anthony Averett on August 20. Averett’s departure came just three days after he left the Steelers’ second preseason game with a hamstring injury. Pittsburgh made the announcement while informing the public of other roster moves, sparking intrigue as to how the secondary will shape up ahead of Week 1.
Averett, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, brought valuable experience to the battle for cornerback spots on the Steelers’ roster. Over five seasons, he appeared in 51 games, providing much-needed depth and versatility for various teams. However, a training camp injury in 2023 and a stint on the Detroit Lions practice squad limited his availability last season, with his last regular-season action coming in 2022 as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders.
With Averett out and fellow cornerback Grayland Arnold landing on injured reserve, the door opens for lesser-known players to seize a roster spot. Undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr., sixth-round safety Ryan Watts, seventh-rounder Cory Trice Jr., fourth-year pro Thomas Graham Jr., and 2023 Indianapolis Colts draft pick Darius Rush now have better odds of making the final roster as the Steelers aim to solidify their secondary.
Steelers Make Roster Moves, Nate Herbig Sent to IR
In addition to releasing Averett, the Steelers placed center Nate Herbig on injured reserve with a torn rotator cuff, a move first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac on August 18. Herbig had been taking first-team reps at center throughout training camp, and his loss is a significant blow to Pittsburgh’s offensive line depth. Rookie Zach Frazier now steps into a starting role but will face stiff competition as the Steelers look to improve their depth before the regular season begins.
Pittsburgh also finalized the signing of linebacker Kyahva Tezino and added defensive lineman Marcus Haynes to the roster. Tezino, a 6-foot linebacker, has journeyed through various spring football leagues, including the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers and the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. At 27 years old, Tezino earned a training camp opportunity with the San Francisco 49ers last year and most recently helped the Stallions secure a championship, contributing 66 tackles and a half-sack.
Haynes, a 6-foot-4 defensive lineman, is a developmental prospect who played college football at Old Dominion. Despite being 26 years old, Haynes has yet to see NFL regular-season action but offers potential to bolster Pittsburgh’s defensive front.
Will the Steelers Seek More Help at Cornerback Before Week 1?
As injuries accumulate in the secondary, the Steelers have moved quickly to bring in new faces. Cornerbacks Zyon Gilbert and Kiondre Thomas were recently signed, while safety Jalen Elliott returned after a brief release. Defensive back Kyler McMichael also joined the team at the start of training camp.
Whether any of these signings will make the final roster remains to be seen. However, with over $16.2 million in available cap space, Pittsburgh has the flexibility to pursue a more prominent veteran option at nickel cornerback before the regular season kicks off.
With the preseason winding down, the Steelers will need to evaluate their options carefully, as depth and experience in the secondary will be crucial for a team looking to make a strong push in the AFC North.
