WR Ryan Switzer cut as Steelers reduce roster to 53 players

The biggest and smallest players in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp failed to make the opening 53-man roster.

When the Steelers got down to the limit Saturday afternoon, they did so by releasing 352-pound nose tackle Daniel McCullers and 5-foot-8, 185-pound slot receiver/return specialist Ryan Switzer.

McCullers, who had spent the past six years with the Steelers, and Switzer were two of the familiar faces shown the door among the 27 players cut.

Among the other players waived were sixth-round draft pick Antoine Brooks, a safety from Maryland, and five players who finished the 2019 season on the Steelers roster: quarterback Paxton Lynch, linebacker Tuzar Skipper, running backs Kerrith Whyte Jr. and Trey Edmunds and wide receiver Deon Cain.

Making the initial 53-man roster were cornerback James Pierre, an undrafted free agent from Florida Atlantic, center J.C. Hassenauer and two free agents signed during training camp: safety Curtis Riley and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud.

Although McCullers was on the roster for six seasons, he started just three times in 73 games and never played more than 17% of the defensive snaps in any year. The Steelers elected to keep seventh-round draft pick Carlos Davis of Nebraska instead of McCullers.

Switzer appeared in 25 games, with one start, in the past two seasons with the Steelers. Switzer was limited to nine games last year with a back injury.

The entire list of players released: On offense, QB Paxton Lynch; RBs Kerrith Whyte Jr., Trey Edmunds and Wendell Smallwood; wide receivers Saeed Blacknall, DeAndre Thompkins, Deon Cain, Amara Darboh and Ryan Switzer; offensive linemen Christian DiLauro, John Keenoy, Derwin Gray, Anthony Coyle and Jarron Jones; and tight ends Kyle Markway and Kevin Rader

On defense, cut were defensive linemen Cavon Walker, Henry Mondeaux, Calvin Taylor and Daniel McCullers; linebackers Tuzar Skipper and Jayrone Elliott; and defensive backs Trajan Bandy, John Battle and Antonio Brooks Jr. Special team players cut were punter Corliss Waitman and long snapper Liam McCullough.

The next step for the Steelers will be establishing the 16-man practice squad, which will be finalized Sunday after players clear waivers.

For 2020, NFL teams can keep six veterans practice squad at salary of $12,000 per week. The practice squad players with less experience will make $8,400 per week. Four players on the practice squad can be protected from poaching by other teams.

Here is the initial 53-man roster:

QB (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges

RB (4): James Conner, Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Samuels

FB (1): Derek Watt

OL (9): Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Matt Feiler, Stefen Wisniewski, Kevin Dotson, J.C. Hassenauer, Alejandro Villanueva, Chuks Okorafor, Zach Banner

TE (3): Vance McDonald, Eric Ebron, Zach Gentry

WR (5): JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud

DL (6): Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Stephon Tuitt, Carlos Davis, Chris Wormley, Isaiah Buggs

OLB (4): T.J. Watt, Bud Dupree, Alex Highsmith, Ola Adeniyi

ILB (5): Vince Williams, Devin Bush, Ulyees Gilbert III, Robert Spillane, Marcus Allen

S (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Curtis Riley, Jordan Dangerfield

CB (6): Joe Haden, Steve Nelson, Mike Hilton, Cam Sutton, Justin Layne, James Pierre

Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (PK), Jordan Berry (P), Kameron Canaday (LS)