The Pittsburgh Steelers made a few transactions on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Signed off the practice squad on Saturday was cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz and he’ll likely play extensively on special teams Sunday being as wide receiver Sammie Coates is expected to be inactive with a hamstring injury. Shabazz was just signed back to the practice squad earlier in the week after being waived last weekend by the Houston Texans.
Also signed off the practice squad on Saturday was defensive end Johnny Maxey. Maxey, who was signed this year as an undrafted free agent out of Mars Hill University, has been on the Steelers practice squad all season. His promotion was necessary being as starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt is currently dealing with a sprained knee that he suffered last Sunday. Tuitt ended the week listed as questionable on the team’s injury report after failing to practice all week.
To make room for Shabazz and Maxey on the 53-man roster, the Steelers waived running back Daryl Richardson and placed safety Shamarko Thomas on Reserve/Injured. Richardson had been on the Steelers 53-man roster since the middle of November. He failed to dress for any games since being promoted from the practice squad. Earlier in the season Richardson dressed for three games.
Thomas has missed the last several games with a concussion. The former draft pick is in the final year of his rookie contract.
