Report: Steelers Sign OT Jerald Hawkins from Texans Practice Squad

Just hours after starting right tackle Zach Banner left the team’s game against the New York Giants on Monday night with what is reportedly a season-ending ACL injury, the Steelers have reportedly signed a tackle to bolster their depth at the position.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Steelers have signed tackle Jerald Hawkins from the Houston Texans’ practice squad.

Steelers sign offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins off Texans' practice squad https://t.co/RVaX9iC16k

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 15, 2020

Hawkins, 26, was the Steelers’ fourth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and played five games for the team, including one start in three seasons. He missed the entire 2018 season with a quad injury and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with a 2021 seventh-round pick for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick on the eve of the 2019 season.

He signed with the Texans this offseason and was waived on Sept. 5 in the team’s final cuts. The Steelers will have to make a roster move in order to officially sign Hawkins.