Steelers Sign DT Renell Wren, LB Chapelle Russell to Practice Squad
The Steelers have signed former Bengals defensive tackle Renell Wren and former Buccaneers linebacker Chapelle Russell, according to reports https://twitter.com/bepryor/status/1565415209644265475?s=20&t=fYbYqRfjiOIOmuxHSEvEgQ”>by
ESPN.
Wren comes to the Steelers after three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was their fourth-round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. Wren latched on with the Philadelphia Eagles for training camp, but failed to make the final roster cut. He has always played in a 4-3 system, and the Steelers think he can maybe fit into their 3-4 better. Over his time with Cincinnati, Wren racked up 9 tackles and two starts with the team.
Russell was drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Temple. The Steelers have looked around for some linebacker help after releasing Buddy Johnson, and Russell appears to be that answer. In 2021, Russell was with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he was released on Tuesday during final cutdowns. During his NFL career, Russell has registered 18 tackles thus far.
Wren joins Carlos Davis on the team’s practice squad on the defensive line. Russell is the first inside linebacker to crack the Steelers practice squad up to this point. Pittsburgh still has 4 spots open to add whoever they see fit. It seems that they are evaluating around the NFL and looking for talent. That is the nature of roster turnover, and Omar Khan and Andy Weidl are making their mark on the practice squad in that manner.
The Steelers are still filling out their practice squad. They can put as many as 16 players on the practice squad. Up to two practice squad players can be activated to the game-day roster each week without needing to be added to the 53-man roster. Each practice squad player can be called up three times in a season before they must be added to the 53-man roster.
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