Steelers Cut Former XFL Cornerback

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released cornerback Luq Barcoo as part of the club’s final cut-down process to 53 players on Thursday.

Barcoo signed with the Steelers this May after a productive spring with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.

Barcoo played exclusively outside cornerback with the Steelers, where he was 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 played on defense in just two, earning 42 snaps between the opener against the Buffalo Bills and 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 first 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.

The Steelers have until 4 p.m. on Tuesday to get down to their final 53 players in advance of the NFL-mandated limit.

Barcoo and all other players on waivers will remain there until noon on Wednesday, when players that clear can begin being added to practice squads.