Ex-Steelers CB Chris Steele Signs to Dolphins Practice Squad

Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Chris Steele signed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad on Monday.

Steele originally joined the Steelers in April right after going undrafted out of USC in the 2022 NFL Draft, and served as a depth cornerback for the team throughout offseason, training camp, and preseason.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound 21-year-old Steele had a strong camp, passing veteran Justin Layne on the depth chart, but was one of the final cuts last Tuesday as the Steelers got down to the 53-man roster.

With just four outside cornerbacks making the active roster, and Layne getting claimed on waivers by the New York Giants, Steele seemed to be an obvious choice for the Steelers to sign to their practice squad.

But instead of signing Steele, the Steelers went outside the organization to add former second-round pick Josh Jackson and bring back Mark Gilbert, who spent the 2021 summer with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Duke.

The Dolphins have five outside corners on their 53-man roster, with All-Pro Xavien Howard and 2020 first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene starting and Justin Bethel, Keion Crossen and Kader Kohou backing up.

Steele is one of a number of players that were in Steelers camp but ended up on another team’s practice squad, including quarterback Chris Oladokun (Kansas City Chiefs), defensive end Henry Mondeaux (New York Giants) and inside linebacker Buddy Johnson (San Francisco 49ers).