Steelers Now
The New York Giants have released former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud from their practice squad. McCloud signed with the Giants on Oct. 23 after his abrupt release from the Atlanta Falcons.
McCloud played with the Buffalo Bills when Brian Daboll was the offensive coordinator in 2018. Daboll was fired by the Giants on Nov. 10.
McCloud’s release by the Falcons was sudden. He was inactive for the team’s Week 7 game against the San Francisco 49ers. It was the second straight game that he was inactive.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris described it as a private matter.
“I sent him home,” Morris said. “Excused absence — home. Working through some things right now that are private with my young man, and we’ll figure those things out as we go.”
Morris said McCloud being sent home has nothing to do with the fact that wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard was fired.
“This is between Ray-Ray, the organization and us and dealing with those things,” Morris said. “Nothing to do with that. It is just more a football thing and what we got to get straightened out.”
ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported that McCloud and Hilliard are “close.” Hillard was McCloud’s receivers coach in Pittsburgh, as well.
Shortly after the firing of Hillard, McCloud said the 49-year-old receivers coach was the the best coach he’s ever had and the NFL “has no loyalty.”
On Wednesday, McCloud made a lengthy post on Instagram, explaining how frustrating of a season it’s been. He mentioned in his statement, “God always sheds light to the truth because IT WAS NEVER PERFORMANCE BASED.”
Ray-Ray McCloud posted a lengthy IG, wrapping it up with “God always sheds light to the truth because IT WAS NEVER PERFORMANCE BASED. 🤐” #Falcons pic.twitter.com/nOhggqIaY5
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) December 10, 2025
McCloud signed with the Falcons on a two-year deal in March of 2024. He spent the two previous seasons with the 49ers.
McCloud was the 49ers’ primary punt returner and a contributing receiver. He averaged 10.8 yards per punt return and 23 yards per kickoff return for the 49ers in 2023. McCloud also caught 14 passes for 243 yards and ran four times for 78 yards, scoring two touchdowns.
McCould left the Steelers via free agency in March of 2022, landing with the 49ers on a two-year, $10.4 million deal. McCloud spent two seasons as the Steelers’ primary punt and kick returner, and also became an integral part of the offense.
In 2021, McCloud led the NFL in punt returns (38) and punt return yards. He averaged 9.7 yards per punt return and 22.2 yards per kickoff return, finishing in the top 15 in both categories. Offensively, he set a career-high in nearly every category, catching 39 of 66 targets for 277 yards. He also rushed twice for 15 yards.
Originally a sixth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2018, McCloud spent one season in Buffalo and another with the Carolina Panthers. He was re-signed by...
