A Steelers Depot daily segment. A quick hit of some Pittsburgh Steelers-related stories that may not require a complete article but nuggets worth mentioning and passing on to you guys.
Your Depot After Dark for Jan. 2.
COWBOYS SIGN FORMER STEELERS CB
At this point in the NFL season, some teams are just trying to fill out their rosters and see what they have for next year. The Dallas Cowboys are one of those teams. They had playoff aspirations, but then lost quarterback Dak Prescott for the year, derailing their season. Now, they’ve brought on former Steelers corner Luq Barcoo to their practice squad, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 on Twitter.
Barcoo had an on-again, off-again relationship with the Steelers in 2023. He has yet to play in 2024, but it looks like he could catch on with the Cowboys. Hopefully, he impresses them this week and gets a chance to make their roster in 2025.
FLOWERS FIRST RAVENS PRO BOWL WR
The Baltimore Ravens are one of the younger teams in the NFL. They were only created in 1996, while the Steelers have been around since 1933. However, that doesn’t mean the Ravens aren’t accomplished. They have won two Super Bowls. One accomplishment they didn’t have was a player making the Pro Bowl as a wide receiver. Thanks to Zay Flowers, that’s now changed.
Flowers was an impactful rookie last year, and this year, he’s taken his game to another level. As reporter Jamison Hensley of ESPN made note of on Twitter, Flowers is the first Raven to make the Pro Bowl as a receiver. They’ve had receivers make the Pro Bowl, but as return specialists. Flowers has earned this honor, putting up over 70 catches and 1,000 yards this year.
Hakeem Butler Back In UFL
Former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hakeem Butler is back in the UFL ahead of the spring league in 2025. Butler re-upped with the St. Louis Battlehawks to try and dominate the league for another season.
Last season, Butler led the team with 45 receptions, 652 yards, and five touchdowns. A height/weight prospect, Butler’s always brought plenty of buzz but struggled to show it in the NFL. His stint with Pittsburgh didn’t end well, never showing much of a chance to crack the 53-man roster. Turning 29 in May, his chances of getting back in the league are slipping away.
BROWNS STARTING ZAPPE
This week, the Steelers need a little help if they want to win the AFC North. They need to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, but they also need the Cleveland Browns to beat the Baltimore Ravens. That was always going to be a longshot, but now, it seems like the Browns are going to be even bigger underdogs.
According to AP sportswriter Tom Withers on Twitter, the Browns will be starting Bailey Zappe at quarterback this week. Zappe joined the Browns during the middle of this season to provide them with quarterback depth. Now, he’ll be starting for them. He’s started a handful of games in the NFL, but he hasn’t played at a high level. The Steelers’ hopes for the division crown now partly rest on his shoulders.
Plumlee On The Field
UDFA John Rhys Plumlee, with the Steelers in training camp who became a fan favorite, has been signed to the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad.
Plumlee signed with Pittsburgh as a quarterback and repped there throughout the summer. But the Steelers maximized his athleticism and versatility, dabbling at receiver while working as a returner and special teamer. He spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being signed by Seattle in November. Now listed as a wide receiver, we’ll see if Plumlee can dress and make his NFL debut Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
