With Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green now finally practicing with the team after spending the first seven weeks on the Reserve/PUP list, it’s only a matter of time before he’s activated back to the 53-man roster. When and if that does indeed happen, the Steelers will obviously need to make room for him. With that said, here are the likely candidates to be waived or put on Reserve/Injured to make room for Green.
Xavier Grimble – Like it or not, Grimble hasn’t lived up to all the hype he has received dating back to last year. While the former undrafted free agent does have 8 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown so far in the 127 offensive snaps that he’s played, he’s also failed to hold on to a few passes that were thrown his way as well. Additionally, Grimble has only shown to be just a marginal run blocker so far this season and has yet to record a single tackle on special teams tackle in the 35 times he’s been on the field. Should Grimble ultimately wind up being the player waived to make room for Grimble, it’s very likely he’ll clear the process and then possibly signed to the practice squad.
Cobi Hamilton – Since being promoted from the Steelers practice squad a few Saturdays ago, Hamilton has caught 5 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Assuming fellow wide receivers Markus Wheaton and Sammie Coates are both healthy enough to play following the team’s bye week, Hamilton could wind up being the odd man out as there isn’t a reason to carry 6 healthy wide receivers on the 53-man roster. Whether Hamilton can clear waivers or not is unknown as there could be a team looking for wide receiver depth willing to snap him up based on what he’s put down on tape the last few weeks.
Cody Wallace – Wallace hasn’t dressed for a game so far this season due to a knee injury that he suffered during the preseason that ultimately needed a minor procedure performed on it. After the team’s bye week, one would think that he should be close to be able to resume practicing. If he’s not, and the knee isn’t making progress, Wallace could be placed on the team’s Reserve/Injured list to make room for Green.
Shamarko Thomas – Thomas has missed the last few weeks with a groin injury and it’s unknown as to how much more time he’ll miss. While he is currently on the bottom of the team’s depth chart at the safety position, he is valuable commodity when it comes to his play on special teams. The only way he’s knocked off the roster would be a result of him being placed on Reserve/Injured because of his groin injury not healing properly.
Brian Mihalik – The Steelers brought Mihalik back to Pittsburgh a few weeks ago when they signed him off the practice squad of the Detroit Lions. Because of that move, Mihalik must stay on the Steelers 53-man roster for at least 3 weeks per CBA rules. As of right now, he is in his second week with the team and thus can’t be waived until after the third week is over. The fact that the Steelers went out of their way to sign Mihalik off another team’s practice squad likely means they want him around for an extended amount of time.
Steven Johnson – If I didn’t include Johnson on this list I know several of you would note it in the comments. I’ll begrudgingly put him on here to suffice the masses but with that said, please know that he currently leads the Steelers in total special teams tackles with 6 and has registered a forced fumble to boot.
