The Steelers just made a couple of desperate moves at wide receiver, signing Brandon Smith to their 53-man roster and elevating Brandon Johnson, all thanks to a seriously banged-up receiving corps. The team announced the roster shuffling Saturday afternoon, just a day before their Week 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
The Injury Bug Hit Hard, So The Practice Squad Gets The Call
This wasn’t a proactive move, folks. Pittsburgh has Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. chilling on injured reserve, and Ben Skowronek is questionable for Sunday’s kickoff. That’s a huge hit to depth, forcing them to dig deep into the practice squad. Brandon Smith got the call-up to the active roster, which means he’s now officially part of the 53-man squad. Why the full sign-on for Smith? He’d already been elevated for three games this season, and league rules say you can’t go back to the active/inactive roster without getting signed after that. He actually recorded his first two catches of the year last week against the New Orleans Saints, racking up 24 yards. That’s a good sign they trust him a bit.
Then there’s Brandon Johnson, who got elevated for Sunday’s game. This is his third and final elevation for the season before he, too, would need to be signed to the active roster. The big difference? Johnson hasn’t recorded a single catch all season. After the game against the Browns, he’ll revert straight back to the practice squad.
What These Moves Actually Mean For Sunday
The Steelers clearly needed bodies, and they needed them fast. Smith’s signing means they now have an open slot on their practice squad, which gives them a bit more flexibility moving forward. But for Sunday, it’s all about patching up a unit that’s limping into a big divisional game.
With the Browns on the schedule, you know it’s gonna be a tough, physical battle. Pittsburgh is gonna need every available set of hands. Keep an eye on Smith and Johnson, because their performance on Sunday could dictate a lot for a receiving group that’s hurting bad.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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