The Steelers had to release wide receiver Donte Moncrief by Thursday of next week or forfeit a chance to acquire a third-round compensatory pick for the loss of Le'Veon Bell in free agency.
With some injuries at the running back position, they didn't wait that long. Moncrief was released Saturday to make room for running back Tony Brooks-James, who was signed off their practice squad.
The release of Moncrief comes after a disappointing season for the veteran receiver. Signed in the offseason to help offset the loss of Antonio Brown, Moncrief never settled into the Steelers' lineup, battling through a finger injury he suffered in training camp.
Moncrief started the team's first two games but was largely ineffective, as he was plagued by four dropped passes in those two games. The 26-year-old had four catches for 18 yards this season.
The Steelers had to release Moncrief by Thursday because of the compensatory-pick process regarding free-agent losses and signings. That became a situation when linebacker L.J. Fort was released by the Eagles in September. Fort's loss in free agency offset the Moncrief signing in the compensatory process.
The Steelers signed Moncrief to a two-year, $9-million deal in the offseason. He counts $3.75 million against the team's salary cap this season.
The need for an additional running back became necessary with both James Conner and Benny Snell likely out for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Brooks-James, a rookie out of Oregon, originally signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. In four preseason games he had 25 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including a 137-yard performance against Jacksonville in the preseason finale. He was released by the Falcons before the start of the regular season.
Before being signed to the Steelers practice squad, he was on the Tampa Bay Bucs practice squad.
To continue reading, log into your account:
