In addition to TE Scotty Washington, the Pittsburgh Steelers are signing LB Caleb Johnson to their practice squad, according to veteran NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
Johnson split his college time between UCLA and Miami (Fla.), spending the 2022 season with the Hurricanes. There, he recorded 48 tackles (four for a loss) and 1.5 sacks with a pair of forced fumbles. In 2020 with UCLA, he notched 5.5 sacks and an interception.
Prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, Johnson measured in at 5113, 228 pounds at his Pro Day. He ran a blazing 4.44 40 with a 32-inch vertical and 10’6″ broad jump, strong numbers overall to make up for a lack of size. Still, he went undrafted and signed with the New York Jets, who carried him throughout the summer. He spent the first two weeks of September on the team’s practice squad before being released.
In a pre-draft scouting report from Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, he summarized this about Johnson:
“Johnson is a two-down run defender who lacks the size and speed for the next level. He must play exceptionally well on special teams to have any chance of getting out of camp this summer.”
There’s no word on the corresponding moves Pittsburgh will make to get Johnson on the practice squad. According to Mike Tomlin, linebacker Cole Holcomb is dealing with an ankle injury that may limit him throughout the Steelers’ week of practices and Johnson’s signing should bring additional depth.
