Steelers add Marquez Valdes-Scantling to active roster, elevate DeMarvin Leal from practice squad
The Pittsburgh Steelers transformed their wide receivers corps during last week’s game. After the leader of that unit produced at a season-best level, they’ve begun to make the new-look position group more permanent.
Veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling was added to the Steelers’ 53-man active roster Monday in advance of the game against the Miami Dolphins. The 31-year-old made his Steelers debut as a practice-squad elevation for last week’s win at the Baltimore Ravens.
Though Valdes-Scantling and 35-year-old waiver claim Adam Thielen combined for one catch (by Thielen) for 4 yards, the duo was credited in part by quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the big game from WR1 DK Metcalf (seven catches, 148 yards) because of their “professional” route-running.
Scotty Miller was a third veteran receiver who entered the gameday lineup against the Ravens after being a healthy scratch the previous game. It made for a significant remake of the Steelers wide receivers corps aside from Metcalf, Calvin Austin III and special-teamer Ben Skowronek. Designated as inactive were Roman Wilson and Ke’Shawn Wiliams.
Williams, a rookie, on Monday was waived from the active roster in the corresponding move to make room for Valdes-Scantling.
Valdes-Scantling is an eight-year NFL veteran who played his first four seasons with Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers.
Driscoll, Leal called up
Facing attrition at edge defender and on the offensive line, the Steelers also on Monday elevated DeMarvin Leal and Jack Driscoll from the practice squad for the game against the Dolphins.
Drafted as a defensive lineman, Leal is in his fourth season with the Steelers. He has been up and down from the practice squad and active roster this season, and Monday will be his third game in uniform in 2025. Leal was called upon because of the lung injury that is preventing star outside linebacker T.J. Watt from playing.
The Steelers have only three healthy OLBs on their 53-man roster: Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer.
Driscoll is active for the Steelers for a game for the first time. Signed to the practice squad Oct. 29, he has played in 67 NFL regular-season games with 18 starts for the Philadelphia Eagles since 2020. He has extensive pro experience at both tackle and guard.
The Steelers are down to their No. 4 left tackle with Broderick Jones (neck), Calvin Anderson (knee) and Andrus Peat (concussion) out.
Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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