Pittsburgh Steelers Promote Veteran Cornerback to Active Roster
The Pittsburgh Steelers have promoted veteran cornerback James Pierre from their practice squad to their active roster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed cornerback James Pierre from the practice squad to the active, 53-man roster, the team announced on Tuesday.
Pierre had just signed to the team’s practice squad before the Steelers’ Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He made his season debut as a practice squad elevation, replacing wide receiver Ben Skowronek as a one of the team’s starting punt gunners. He also played on punt return and kickoff return teams.
Pierre was thrust into action on defense, as well, when cornerback Cory Trice Jr. suffered a hamstring injury early in the game against the Chargers and cornerback Donte Jackson missed two plays with a shoulder issue. Jackson quickly returned.
Trice, on the other hand, will miss at least the next four week with the hamstring injury, as the team placed him on the injured reserve list on Tuesday, opening the slot for Pierre on the 53-man roster.
Pierre will now join second-year man Darius Rush as the team’s two backup outside cornerbacks behind starters Jackson and Joey Porter Jr. With Skowronek and Tyler Matakevich on injured reserve for at least the next three weeks, Pierre should also be expected to continue to have a significant special teams role going forward.
The 28-year-old Deerfield Beach, Florida native spent his first four NFL seasons with the Steelers from 2020-23. His contract with the Steelers expired in March and Pierre signed with the Washington Commanders. He spent the preseason in Washington, but was released on Aug. 27.
Pierre said he was ready to hit the ground running after re-joining the Steelers.
“I feel pretty good,” Pierre said. “Just ready stick my hand in the pile and get ready to work back with the guys. … Just being in the National Football League, you’ve always got to be ready to go.”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound cornerback first joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of FAU in 2020. He moved up the depth chart quickly, first solidifying himself on special teams before becoming a trusted backup at the cornerback position, and making six starts from 2021-22.
Last season, Pierre was passed on the depth chart by Rush, and with Trice, who missed all of 2023 with a knee injury, coming back this spring, the Steelers decided not to retain Pierre.
But his special teams ability has once again proven worthwhile, and the Steelers were fortunate that he was available when he was.
“Love JP. I was super excited to have him back,” special teams captain Miles Killebrew said on Monday. “I love his game. I love his style of play and I would say his impact was felt this past game, for sure.”
Pierre did not have a tackle or record any official statistics, but he did help force two fair catches and one return of just five yards on three Corliss Waitman punts.
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