Behind the Steel Curtain
The Steelers continue to update their practice squad Monday, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that the team is signing running back/returner Raheem Blackshear to the practice squad.
Blackshear was undrafted in 2022 out of Virginia Tech. In the NFL, he’s had stints with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, and Tennessee Titans.
From 2022-24 with the Panthers, Blackshear appeared in 41 games, logging two starts. For his career he has 203 rushing yards with a 3.9-yard average, three rushing touchdowns, and 16 receptions for 138 receiving yards.
Blackshear has played the majority of his career snaps on special teams. He has 23 career punt returns with an 8.7-yard average, and 66 career kick returns with a 26.3-yard average. He’s yet to record a return touchdown.
Blackshear, listed at 5’9, 195 pounds coming out of college, reportedly ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.
The Steelers have yet to announce the Blackshear signing or a corresponding release to make room for him. Pittsburgh already filled its open practice squad spot with the signing of safety Jack Henderson earlier Monday.
Once the signing is made official, Blackshear could be a candidate to be elevated from the Steelers’ practice squad on gamedays thanks to his returner abilities, especially if Calvin Austin III misses Pittsburgh’s Week 6 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
