The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Monday that they have waived/injured cornerback Luq Barcoo and signed wide receiver Jaray Jenkins. Barcoo was injured during the team’s OTAs sessions, leaving the team down a cornerback. However, the team has added another player to its wide receiver room instead as they search for someone who can fill out their roster spots. Currently, there is an open competition up and down the depth chart other than at the very top, where George Pickens slots right in.
Barcoo spent all last season on the Steelers practice squad. He joined the team out of the XFL after playing for the San Antonio Brahmas. Before heading to the XFL to try and revive his career, Barcoo had a stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had a solid training camp a season ago, which earned him that spot on the practice squad.
In 2019, Barcoo led all of college football with nine interceptions. Not only did that figure lead the NCAA in his senior season, but no one else has matched it since. Xavier Watts had seven this past season, but Barcoo’s number still stands the test of time five years later.
With Barcoo now with the waive/injured designation, he will have to clear through waivers, and if he does that, he will revert to the Steelers’ injured reserve. From there, they can release him from injured reserve with an injury settlement or keep him on the list throughout the season. Pittsburgh did that with defensive lineman Renell Wren and running back Alfonzo Graham. Both players suffered severe injuries, with Wren suffering a torn Achilles and Graham a torn labrum in his shoulder. If Barcoo’s injury is severe, that is likely the route they will take.