Steelers Make Eight Practice Squad Moves

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed wide receiver Damion Willis on the practice squad COVID-19 reserve list, activated wide receivers Anthony Miller, Steven Sims and Tyler Vaughns from the practice squad COVID-19 list, released kicker Sam Sloman, punter Cameron Nizialek and wide receiver Darrius Shepherd from the practice squad and linebacker Jacob Tuioti-Mariner terminated his practice squad contract.

Willis and Shepherd had been signed in the past week to deal with the shortage when Miller, Sims and Vaughns were placed on the COVID-19 list.

Nizialek was signed when Pressley Harvin III was expected to miss some time while away from the team after the death of his father, but fellow backup Corliss Waitman has performed well enough that the team no longer found Nizialek needed. Harvin may return to the team this week.

Sloman has been on and off the practice squad several times this season as an emergency backup to Chris Boswell.

Tuioti-Mariner was signed to the practice squad on Nov. 11 with the team struggling with depth at outside linebacker. He did not appear in a game in his time with the team and was passed on the depth chart for playing time by more recent practice squad signee John Simon.

In addition to Willis, defensive lineman Daniel Archibong remains on the practice squad COVID-19 list. The team’s practice squad is at 15 of the maximum 16 players entering the start of the practice week Wednesday.