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Steelers sign WR Jacob Copeland | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

Steelers sign WR Jacob Copeland

Chris Adamski
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AP
Shown while playing for the Minnesota Vikings during last year’s preseason, wide receiver Jacob Copeland signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Jacob Copeland to their 90-man training camp roster, adding the former University of Florida leading receiver to the organization for a third time.

The 5-foot-11, 201-pound Copeland had separate 21- and six-day stints on the Steelers’ practice squad last season, one from Week 2 through Week 4 and another just after Thanksgiving.

Copeland originally joined the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent last year after playing his final college season at Maryland. The Titans, though, waived him early during their training camp, and Copeland played in the preseason with the Minnesota Vikings. When he did not make that team, the Steelers brought him in Sept. 12.

Copeland latched on with the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs in January but was waived last month. He has no NFL regular-season experience.

Copeland had one catch for 18 yards on four targets during last year’s preseason for Minnesota. He also returned one kickoff, a duty he handled on occasion for Maryland in 2022.

Copeland ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at last year’s NFL combine.

The Steelers this week released Denzel Mims, a veteran receiver of 30 NFL regular-season games.

Copeland, who had 11 receiving touchdowns in 51 college games, led Florida with 41 catches and 642 receiving yards in 2021.

He joins 10 other wide receivers on the Steelers roster in advance of the July 24 opening of camp. There are no clear-cut Nos. 2-5 on the depth chart behind George Pickens, albeit veteran Van Jefferson and rookie third-round pick Roman Wilson are assured roster spots.

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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Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL
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