Steelers move Qadree Ollison up from practice squad, place Diontae Johnson, Anthony McFarland on IR

Two weeks ago when Qadree Ollison went through his first practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenny Pickett made sure he drilled a handoff to the veteran running back.

“Just for old time’s sake,” Pickett said to Ollison that day.

On Monday night, Ollison was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster by the Pittsburgh Steelers for their home game against the Cleveland Browns.

Ollison starred at Pitt for four seasons, the final one (2018) when Pickett was in his first of four years as the Panthers’ starting quarterback.

A veteran of 22 NFL games over the past four seasons — mostly with the Atlanta Falcons — Ollison joined the Steelers after being part of the final cuts by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Former ⁦@Pitt_FB⁩ star running back Qadree Ollison on joining the Steelers this week pic.twitter.com/GAcaGMleji

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 4, 2023

Ollison served as a No. 3 running back Monday behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. The man who held that role during the season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, Anthony McFarland, played five snaps on offense and was back as the returner during Week 1. Despite not being mentioned during coach Mike Tomlin’s injury updates early last week, McFarland has a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve.

As expected, starting wide receiver Diontae Johnson also was placed on IR, eight days after suffering a groin injury.

IR rules stipulate a player must miss at least four games.

Players are permitted a maximum of three elevations per season from the practice squad to the active roster. They return to the practice squad after the game.

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