Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have elevated cornerback James Pierre from the practice squad for the team’s Week 1 game against the New York Jets, the team announced on Saturday.
The Steelers have only four cornerbacks on their 53-man roster: starters Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr., and backup Brandin Echols. Pierre will serve as a second backup outside cornerback and has also been the team’s starting punt gunner for several seasons.
Pierre, 28, first joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of FAU in 2020. He spent his first four seasons with the Steelers before signing with the Washington Commanders as a free agent last offseason. The Commanders released Pierre, and he re-signed with the Steelers last Sept. 17.
Pierre re-signed with the Steelers for the 2025 season. He had been part of the team’s final cuts to 53 players last Tuesday and was quickly re-signed to the practice squad.
Pierre has played in 18 games for the Steelers over his five-year career and made eight starts. He has three career interceptions, 117 tackles, one tackle for loss, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
As a practice squad elevation, Pierre will automatically return to the practice squad after the Steelers’ game on Sunday. He can be elevated three times from the practice squad before the Steelers must make a place for Pierre on the 53-man active roster.
The team’s final list of players that will dress against the Jets in the season opener is due 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday.
Pierre was the only player elevated from the practice squad for the Jets game, which is a good sign for the participation of outside linebacker Nick Herbig, who is questionable to play on Sunday. The Steelers have only four outside linebackers on their active roster and likely would have chosen to elevate backup DeMarvin Leal if it was expected Herbig would be unable to play.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Elevate Cornerback from Practice Squad for Week 1 vs. NY Jets
