The Pittsburgh Steelers promoted Patrick Morris from their practice squad to the 53-man roster Friday, giving them an extra interior offensive lineman for the duration of Maurkice Pouncey’s two-game suspension.

Morris has been with the Steelers since signing as an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2018. A center by trade, he provides a backup to B.J. Finney while Finney starts games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns as Pouncey sits out as a penalty for punching and kicking the Browns’ Myles Garrett last week.

“Next man up,” Morris said. “I am filling B.J.’s (usual) role while B.J. is starting.”

Morris is capable at both guard spots, too. But in the event that one of the Steelers’ starting guards has to leave a game, Finney would likely shift to that spot with Morris going in at center.

A strong and stout interior lineman, Patrick Morris got a chance to be a starter for a day Wednesday at Saint Vincent. https://t.co/2BD3tbLeEe

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 14, 2019

Taking Morris’ spot on the practice squad was former Alabama center J.C. Hassenauer, who performed well in training camp and pushed Morris for that job when the season opened. A former Alliance of American Football player, Hassenauer was at his home in Minnesota training when the Steelers called.

“Just want to be a team asset and trying to do anything I can to help the team,” Hassenauer said.

The Steelers also announced the signing of Pine-Richland alumnus Kevin Rader to their practice squad. The tight end and former Youngstown State player has been with the organization off and on since January.

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