Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers released former Penn State and Penn Hills defensive back Daequan Hardy from their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday.
Hardy had signed with the team on Nov. 4. He was not elevated from the practice squad and did not appear in a game.
In high school, Hardy played on the same 7-on-7 team as fellow Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and Mike Tomlin’s son, Dino Tomlin.
“Me, Joey (Porter Jr.), Dino, we all played on the same 7-on-7 team,” Hardy said in April of 2024. “So, I would always be around Mike Tomlin.”
Hardy played for five seasons for the Nittany Lions, appearing in 48 games and making 60 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 20 pass defenses and five interceptions. In pre-draft testing, the 5-foot-9 3/8, 179-pound Hardy posted a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and a 42.5-inch vertical.
Hardy was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He spent his first season in Buffalo on the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Buffalo on Jan. 27, 2025.
On Aug. 26, Hardy was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was released by Buffalo again on Aug. 28.
In addition to releasing Hardy, the Steelers also cut former draft pick, inside linebacker Mark Robinson. The team signed wide receiver Cornell Powell and defensive lineman Anthony Goodlow.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Pittsburgh Steelers Cut Ties with Local Defensive Back
