Steelers add RB Tony Brooks-James, OL Christian DiLauro to practice squad

Chris Adamski
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019 1:58 p.m. | Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019 1:58 p.m.

Atlanta Falcons running back Tony Brooks-James reacts after rushing for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 29, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced the additions of running back Tony Brooks-James and offensive tackle Christian DiLauro to their practice squad Tuesday.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Brooks-James averaged 7.2 yards per carry during the preseason, including 15 carries for 137 yards and a 52-yard run among his two touchdowns in the preseason finale.

.@AtlantaFalcons RB Tony Brooks-James finds the end zone again, this time from 52 yards out! @_TonytooTone #ATLvsJAX pic.twitter.com/dOFdlMyBko

— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2019

Brooks-James had 1,863 rushing yards and 392 receiving yards in 46 games over four seasons at Oregon.

The Steelers had no running backs on their practice squad after last week’s promotion of Trey Edmunds to the active roster to supplement James Conner and Benny Snell. Jaylen Samuels is expected to miss at least another game because of a knee injury.

Tony Brooks-James has got the need... the need for speed. pic.twitter.com/l3L2gdiMby

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 4, 2018

The Steelers were down an offensive lineman because rookie guard Fred Johnson was waived and claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals. DiLauro was a 3½-year starter at Illinois who has spent time on the offseason roster and/or practice squads of Cleveland, San Francisco and Houston over the past year-plus.

DiLauro (6-6, 300) is a tackle by trade but also has played guard.

Video: A look at UDFA from 2018 OT Christian DiLauro. DiLauro went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. On May 4, 2018, DiLauro was signed by the Cleveland Browns. DiLauro was waived on September 1, 2018 but was re-signed two days later to the Browns' practice squad...cont pic.twitter.com/UCk3IKAquw

— 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) May 23, 2019

The Steelers might need to create a practice-squad spot when quarterback Mason Rudolph is again cleared to play. But they are idle this week and do not play again until Oct. 28 at home against Miami.

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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.