Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran running back and kick returner Raheem Blackshear to their practice squad, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Blackshear, 27, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers, but was released by the Panthers this August after a preseason injury. He spent one week on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad in late September before signing with the Steelers.
In his career, Blackshear has been mostly used as a kickoff returner, bringing back 66 kicks for 1,734 yards and a 26.3 yards per return average over three seasons with Carolina.
The Steelers have been using a combination of running backs for their kick return duties, with Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon all returning kicks so far.
Johnson, who leads the team with eight kickoff returns and 190 yards, was benched from that job in Week 2, when he failed to cover a live kickoff in the end zone, giving the Seattle Seahawks a touchdown and helping salt away an upset win.
Over the last two games, the Steelers have elevated Sermon from the practice squad to help with kick return duties. He can be elevated one more time before he must be signed to the 53-man roster.
Gainwell has been the team’s most effective returner, with a 25.8 yards per return average.
With starter Jaylen Warren missing the team’s Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Steelers could also be seeking additional depth at running back.
Gainwell started and played well in Warren’s absence, rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
Over three seasons, Blackshear has 52 carries for 203 yards — a 3.9 yards per carry average. He’s also caught 16 of 19 targets for 138 yards and scored three total touchdowns.
The 5-foot-9, 194-pound running back was considered undersized but explosive coming out of Virginia Tech. He ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash in the pre-draft process, but still went undrafted. He first signed with the Buffalo Bills before being released and catching on with the Panthers.
The Steelers will need to make a corresponding transaction in order to add Blackshear to their practice squad.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sign Veteran Running Back, Kickoff Returner
