The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a move on their practice squad today, releasing tight end RaShaun Allen from the practice squad. They signed OT Keavon Milton in a corresponding move.
The release of Allen is another positive sign the Steelers expect Ladarius Green to play in the near future. The team announced he would begin practicing today, during the bye week, for a possible Week 9 return against the Baltimore Ravens.
Allen was originally signed in early September after a visit/workout with the team. He spent the 2016 preseason with the New Orleans Saints.
His released could also clear room if, and it’s not clear this will happen, someone like Xavier Grimble is released and reverts to the practice squad.
Milton has worn a lot o hats in his football career. A 2013 UDFA out of La Tech, he flipped between tight end and defensive line, playing the former his senior year and catching 14 passes for 146 yards. He recorded 24 tackles and two sacks as a defensive linemen in 2010.
He’s now listed as an offensive tackle, no surprise for someone who weighed in at 6’4, 280 pounds at his Pro Day. The Cleveland Browns converted him from TE to tackle in 2014.
Back in 2013, Yahoo’s Russ Lande passed along word that Milton impressed scouts.
“Scouts have been telling us all season about Milton and now even more so because they were surprised that he was not invited to any All Star games. No one has been talking about him being a high draft pick or ever making big plays as a receiver, but numerous scouts felt that he has value in the NFL because of his dominant blocking ability.”
Milton has also spent time with the New England Patriots. If he sticks, and that’s no guarantee with a lot of roster shuffling set to happen these next two weeks, he’ll be an interesting prospect for Mike Munchak to develop.
