CB Isaiah Johnson Clears Waivers, Reverts to Steelers Injured Reserve

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Isaiah Johnson cleared waivers on Wednesday after being waived with an injury designation on Tuesday, and has now reverted to the Steelers’ injured reserve list.

Johnson suffered an undisclosed, football-related injury before he waived. The Steelers could keep Johnson on their practice squad throughout the rest of the year and retain his rights for the 2023 season. Because he was placed on the injured reserve list before the start of the season, he cannot be activated from the injured reserve list to the active roster.

They could also reach an injury settlement with Johnson, paying him a pro-rated portion of his salary for as long as he is expected to be injured and then releasing him. The Steelers could re-sign Johnson after three weeks have passed beyond the time period he is expected to miss with his injury.

Johnson spent one week on the Steelers’ practice squad last season in December before the team released him. He signed a future contract with the Steelers in January for the 2022 season.

Johnson came out of Houston as a fourth-round draft pick in 2019 for the Oakland Raiders. He played in 19 games over two seasons for the Raiders, making 15 tackles and defending five passes. 

The Raiders waived Johnson at the end of training camp before the 2021 season. He spent a week with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squads in October before joining the Steelers on Dec. 14. After the Steelers waived him, he spent another week on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.

The Steelers did not draft a defensive back with any of their seven selections in the 2022 NFL Draft, instead choosing to bring in undrafted free agents Chris Steele and Bryce Watts in addition to several rookie camp tryouts.

Robert Morris cornerback Tavin Harvell, Waterloo (Ontario) defensive back Tyrell Ford, South Carolina cornerback Carlins Platel, Marshall safety Cory McCoy and Lamar defensive back Divine Buckrham all have tryouts in the team’s secondary this weekend.