Steelers sign former Penn St. RB John Lovett, with rookie Alfonzo Graham out for the season

Former Penn State running back John Lovett has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to the XFL.

Lovett played for the XFL’s Vegas Vipers this past season. The league’s communications department announced Lovett’s signing.

Lovett had 496 yards from scrimmage in 10 games this spring. He spent much of last year on the roster of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in May 2022, Lovett led the team in rushing and receiving yards over three preseason games. But he was part of final roster cuts and bounced on and off Carolina’s practice squad all season.

Lovett (6-0, 209) spent only one season at Penn State, accumulating 177 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards over nine games in 2021. He’d spent the prior four seasons at Baylor, totaling 1,803 rushing yards, 29 receptions and 15 touchdowns.

The signing had not yet been announced by the Steelers as of Monday evening. A corresponding roster move that apparently will come is an injured reserve designation for rookie running back Alfonzo Graham. Graham left Saturday’s practice because of a shoulder injury and was wearing a sling on his right shoulder Sunday. Monday, a social-media post attributed to him said he had suffered a torn labrum and was out for the season.

“I promise the Comeback will be Amazing The talent I have is amazing God just wasn’t ready for the world see yet See y’all in 2024,” Graham’s post read.

Graham, who played at Morgan State, was signed off a tryout at rookie minicamp.

The Steelers also went into Monday with an open roster spot after the abrupt retirement of rookie fullback Monte Pottebaum.

The Steelers had an off day Monday and will return Tuesday to Chuck Noll Field at Saint Vincent for the first padded, full-contact practice of training camp.

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