Steelers add James Washington, Jaylen Samuels to reserve/covid list, waive 8 others

James Washington and Jaylen Samuels were added to the reserve/covid list by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, becoming the third and fourth players to be placed on the list since training camp began July 28.

The Steelers also waived eight players: quarterback J.T. Barrett, running back Ralph Webb, wide receiver Quadree Henderson, offensive lineman Christian Montano, linebackers Christian Kuntz and Dewayne Hendrix, safety Tyree Kinnel and defensive end Josiah Coatney.

NFL teams must trim rosters to 80 players before on-field workouts can begin. With the moves Sunday, the Steelers are at 80 players.

Samuels and Washington are each entering their third season with the Steelers, who previously placed defensive backs Arrion Springs and Justin Layne on the reserve/covid list.

Used mainly as a pass-catching option out of the backfield, Samuels made four starts in 14 games last season. He rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown and caught 47 passes for 305 yards and a score.

Washington started 10 games and played in 15 last season. He had 44 catches for 735 yards and three touchdowns.

Being placed on the list doesn’t automatically mean a player has tested positive for coronavirus. The player also could have come into contact with a person who tested positive.

NFL teams are not permitted to comment on players placed on the reserve/covid list, and they may not disclose whether players are in quarantine or have tested positive.

Barrett, Webb and Henderson, the former Pitt receiver/return specialist, were signed to futures contracts after finishing the 2019 season on the practice squad.

Kuntz, who played at Duquesne and was in camp with the Steelers briefly last year, played in the XFL in the spring. Hendrix, who played at Pitt, and Kinnel also were in the XFL. Montano and Coatney were signed as undrafted free agents on April 30.

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