Steelers Cut Ties with Athletic Tight End

The Steelers have released tight end Scotty Washington from their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Washington was one of two cuts from the practice squad, along with guard Joey Fisher. With the impending return of Pat Freiermuth, that likely gives Pittsburgh security to see Washington go. Freiermuth went on injured reserve after aggravating his hamstring injury.

Pittsburgh first signed Washington to the practice on October 24th after they elevated Rodney Williams from the practice squad to the active roster once they placed Freiermuth on injured reserve. He was on the scout team throughout his time with Pittsburgh.

Washington joined the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest in 2020 and spent two seasons in Cincinnati without appearing in a game. After being waived by the Bengals in 2022, he caught on with the Patriots’ practice squad. He was elevated for one game, against his former team on Dec. 24, and he played 22 snaps and did not record any statistics.

The Patriots re-signed Washington for 2023, but he was waived on Aug. 27 and the Steelers were his first team since being released by New England.

A 6-foot-5, 247-pound native of Washington, D.C., Washington caught 110 passes for 1,676 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Demon Deacons from 2015-19. His best season came as a redshirt senior in 2019, when he hauled in 35 passes for 607 yards and seven scores.

The Steelers now have two spots on the practice squad and two on the active roster open. That is four spots in total, and they will likely look to add outside help in the coming days. The Steelers have three tight ends on their active roster: Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, and Williams. With the return of Freiermuth, they will likely have four tight ends on the roster given Williams’ showing on special teams in recent weeks.