Steelers Sign Versatile Offensive Lineman to Practice Squad

The Steelers are signing versatile interior offensive lineman Ryan McCollum to their practice squad, the team announced on Wednesday.

McCollum fills the void on the practice squad left by Greg Bell and Luq Barcoo. Pittsburgh signed wide receiver Jacob Copeland after the injury to Diontae Johnson as a help for the wide receiver depth. McCollum gives Pittsburgh a center-capable player on the practice squad, as McCollum joins tackle Kellen Diesch and guard Joey Fisher.

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Pittsburgh claimed McCollum off waivers a year ago during training when the Detroit Lions released him. They would subsequently rerelease him before the start of the season, but he spent the entire year on the practice squad, signing a futures contract at the end of the year to come back with the team. During training camp and the preseason, he started out running as the third-team center, but the team started moving him around to right and left guard so guys like Nate Herbig and Spencer Anderson could get experience at center.

McCollum was undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2021, signed with the Houston Texans, and made it onto their practice squad. McCollum was signed from the Texans practice squad by the Detroit Lions last October. Throughout the rest of the season, McCollum remained on Detroit’s active roster. He played in 13 games and made one start against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 12. He also saw significant playing time against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 9.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound center was a four-year starter for the Aggies, becoming captain for the team in five games during the 2020 season as a critical member of their offensive line. Pittsburgh released him in their final wave of cut-downs but now will bring him back. Guard James Daniels is currently dealing with an injury to his leg and was spotted in a walking boot on Monday.