Steelers sign 2 players to provide depth at WR, RB positions
In the wake of injuries suffered by wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson, plus running back James Conner, on Thursday night in a 21-7 loss at Cleveland, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed two players to their 53-man roster Saturday.
The additions are wide receiver Deion Cain and running back Kerrith Whyte Jr. To make room, the Steelers waived linebacker Jayrone Elliott and running back Tony Brooks-James.
The Steelers lost Smith-Schuster and Johnson to concussions, and Conner exited with a shoulder injury during their loss to the Browns that snapped a four-game losing streak.
Cain, a sixth-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2018, was signed off the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. Cain spent his rookie season on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending injury in training camp. He started three games this season and had four catches for 52 yards before the Colts waived him and added him to their practice squad Nov. 9.
Whyte, a seventh-round pick this year by the Chicago Bears out of Florida Atlantic, was from the Bears’ practice squad. He had 1,358 rushing, 227 receiving and 2,115 kickoff return yards in his career at Florida Atlantic.
The Steelers hosted Whyte for a predraft visit April 11.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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