The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to re-sign CB Al-Hajj Shabazz to their practice squad, according to a source.
The news, however, doesn’t come as a big surprise. The team had planned on re-signing Shabazz after waiving him on December 3rd to make room to sign Randy Bullock following Chris Boswell’s injury. But the Houston Texans claimed him off waivers as Shabazz was in the Steelers’ facility prepared to re-sign.
His Houston stint was short-lived, getting cut on Saturday.
It’s unclear who Shabazz’s practice squad spot will come at the expense at. The Steelers have recently signed two defensive backs, cornerbacks Brandon Dixon and Mike Hilton over the past week.
On the season, Shabazz is officially credited with one tackle. He had played 62 special teams snaps according to Football Outsiders and another six on defense, the latter of which came against the New York Jets.
At times this season, he’s specifically earned a hat on gameday over Justin Gilbert for his special teams value.
He’s a player who the team seems high on for the future and provided he sticks around the rest of the season, should be someone who competes for the #5 cornerback spot on the team in 2017.
There’s always the chance injury could earn him a late-season call-up to the roster as well.
UPDATE: Shabazz has been re-signed to the practice squad. CB Brandon Dixon has been released.
