Steelers Promote Special Teams Ace to 53-Man Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers have promoted cornerback James Pierre from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, the team announced on Wednesday.

Pierre was elevated from the practice squad for the team’s Week 1 win over the New York Jets. He played 11 snaps, all on special teams, and did not record any statistics. He served as a four-phase special teamer, working on the kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return squads. He and Ben Skowronek served as the team’s staring punt gunners, and Pierre and Brandin Echols were the top jammers on the punt return team.

Those special teams roles have been the key to the longevity for the 28-year-old Pierre. 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 at the end of training camp, and he re-signed with the Steelers last Sept. 17. Following a couple of injuries and some coverage misadventures for the Steelers in the early part of last season, Pierre’s re-signing solidified the Steelers’ special teams as a strength for the rest of the 2024 season.

Pierre played in the last 15 games of the season, and even made two starts while Donte Jackson and Cory Trice were dealing with injury issues. On the season, he recorded 23 tackles, forced two fumbles, defended three passes and made one interception, against the Cleveland Browns.

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. By waiting until after Week 1 to bring Pierre back to the 53-man roster, the Steelers avoided having his contract fully guarantee.

In addition to his special teams role, Pierre will also serve as the Steelers’ fifth cornerback, behind starters Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. and top backup Echols.

In addition to promoting Pierre to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, the Steelers also added quarterback Skylar Thompson and linebacker Malik Harrison to the injured reserve list, officially signed safety Jabrill Peppers and re-signed quarterback Logan Woodside to the practice squad.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Promote Special Teams Ace to 53-Man Roster