Steelers Place Promising Tight End on Waivers

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ two big trade deadline moves came with a price, and that price came due with the release of tight end Rodney Williams II.

Williams was the fifth tight end on the Steelers’ 53-man roster, and with the additions of outside linebacker Preston Smith and wide receiver Mike Williams on Tuesday, five tight ends was a luxury that the Steelers could not longer afford.

Williams had been playing on four special teams phases for the Steelers since being recalled to the active roster in Week 3, and had been doing an excellent job of it. His key block helped spring Calvin Austin III for a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 8. Williams had also been working on the punt coverage, kickoff return and kickoff coverage units.

The third-year pro will now be subject to waivers. If he clears, he will be eligible to re-join the Steelers practice squad.

The move comes as the Steelers are getting healthy all over the roster. Tight end MyCole Pruitt, whose injury precipitated Williams’ promotion, has been back for a few weeks. Running back Cordarrelle Patterson, inside linebacker Tyler Matakevich and outside linebacker Nick Herbig — all key special teamers — could also return this week.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Rodney Williams II at training camp on July 25, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

A 6-foot-4, 235-pound Memphis native, Williams played collegiately at UT Martin. He first joined the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2022, before being cut at the end of training camp and being snapped up by the Steelers.

He spent all of 2022 on the Pittsburgh practice squad. In 2023, he started on the practice squad, but was promoted to the active roster after an injury to Pat Freiermuth on Oct. 4, and spent the rest of the season on the 53-man roster. He helped score a safety after a Miles Killebrew blocked punt in a 17-10 Steelers win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5.

On the season, he played in 13 games, and recorded six tackles. He played on 55 snaps of offense once and was targeted twice without a catch.

He played only five snaps of offense in six games this season, and recorded one tackle on special teams.