Steelers sign former LSU safety John Battle to reserve/future contract
The Pittsburgh Steelers added another defensive back to their offseason roster, announcing the signing of safety John Battle to a reserve/future contract Thursday.
Battle was a two-year starter at LSU, posting four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 52 tackles over 22 games those seasons. The 6-foot, 201-pound Battle was signed by the New York Jets after going undrafted last season. He ended up spending the preseason with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was on their practice squad throughout the 2019 regular season.
#LSU S John Battle in the 40 yd dash: 4.60 pic.twitter.com/NOe4w0driX
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 22, 2019
The NFL’s official draft/combine page said of Battle last spring: “Battle’s speed shows up on tape when he turns on the jets, but too often his play lacks urgency and tends to be much more reactive than proactive. While he has decent ball skills, his lack of coverage instincts could make that skill irrelevant on the next level. He’ll need to play with more juice in both run support and coverage to have a shot to make a roster.”
Senior John Battle at practice, expected to play vs TAMU #LSU pic.twitter.com/AxIJoeqC1M
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) November 19, 2018
The Steelers added former Auburn safety Tray Matthews to their practice squad during the waning days of the regular-season.
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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.
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