Steelers Release Ballhawk Cornerback from Practice Squad

The Steelers have released cornerback Luq Barcoo from the practice squad on Tuesday, the team announced. Barcoo is one of the defensive backs on the practice squad, along with Trenton Thompson, Josiah Scott, and Anthony Brown, but most of the guys are veterans with more experience than Barcoo.

Barcoo signed with the Steelers this May after a productive spring with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL. He played exclusively outside cornerback with the Steelers, battling with incumbent James Pierre and others to be the fourth outside corner on the regular roster.

He played in all three preseason games but on defense in just two, earning 42 snaps between the opener against the Buffalo Bills and the finale versus the Atlanta Falcons. He was given a 63.6 grade by PFF for his preseason. He did not record any official statistics over the three games.

Barcoo signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent out of San Diego State in 2020.

He spent his entire rookie season on the Jags’ active roster, playing in three games and making one start. He had 10 tackles, one for a loss, and defended one pass.

In 2021, he was among Jacksonville’s cuts on Aug. 19 after playing in one preseason game. He was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals and spent five weeks with Arizona without dressing in a game before being pushed through to the practice squad.

The Cardinals released Barcoo from their practice squad on Oct. 12. He was added to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad on Nov. 24 and finished the season there before being released on Jan. 18, 2022 and eventually landing in the XFL. In addition to releasing Barcoo from the practice squad, the Steelers released running back Greg Bell and signed wide receiver Jacob Copeland to the practice squad. Pittsburgh has one spot open on the practice squad.