Steelers Cut Ties with Promising Outside Linebacker

Steelers Cut Ties with Promising Outside Linebacker
Steelers Now Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released outside linebacker K.J. Henry, the team announced on Thursday. In a corresponding move, the Steelers signed defensive back Ahmari Harvey.

The Steelers re-signed Henry in January, after a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns at the end of the 2025 season.

Henry, 26, joined the Steelers on Oct. 11 after stints with the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles earlier this season. He was not elevated from the practice squad and did not appear in a game before his release from the practice squad on Nov. 5.

After getting cut by the Steelers, Henry landed back with the Browns, signing with Cleveland on Nov. 11. He finished the regular season on the Browns’ practice squad. He played one game, appearing on five snaps of special teams and not recording any statistics for the Browns against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 7.

Henry’s contract was allowed to expire at the end of the Cleveland regular season, and he became a free agent, choosing to sign with the Steelers.

Henry was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. He played his college ball at Clemson, recording 51 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six passes defended, and nine tackles for loss in his final season.

Henry appeared in 10 games with the Commanders in his rookie year, recording 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Henry was released as part of the Commanders’ final roster cuts before the start of the 2024 season. He was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in two games as a backup and did not post any stats.

In October, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys off the Bengals’ practice squad. He appeared in two games as a backup, contributing mostly on special teams. He was released in November.

On Nov. 26, 2024, Henry was signed to the Eagles’ practice squad. He won a Super Bowl championship with Philadelphia. He signed a reserve/future contract with the club on Feb. 14, but was waived in July, and claimed by the Browns.

The Browns released Henry from their practice squad in September and he spent a week back on the Philly practice squad before signing with the Steelers.

Alan Saunders contributed.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Cut Ties with Promising Outside Linebacker