Steelers Promote ILB Tegray Scales, K Matthew Wright; Waive G Derwin Gray

The Steelers signed inside linebacker Tegray Scales to their 53-man roster, waived guard Derwin Gray and elevated kicker Matthew Roster from the practice squad to their active roster for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced on Saturday.

Scales has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for each of the team’s last two games due to a significant number of absences at the inside linebacker position. 

A 6-foot, 227-pound Indiana alum in his third professional season, Scales was with Pittsburgh in training camp in 2019 and the team added him to the practice squad this season on Nov. 11. He has also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This promotion to the active roster is a permanent one.

Scales played in 13 snaps over the last two games, all on special teams, while the Steelers played without starters Devin Bush (injured reserve, knee) and Vince Williams (COVID-19 reserve list) and backup Robert Spillane (injured reserve, knee). Backups Marcus Allen (out, stinger) and Ulysees Gilbert III (injured reserve, ankle) were injured at Cincinnati on Monday. 

Inside linebacker Tegray Scales before the Steelers face the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, New York on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Williams was activated from the COVID-19 reserve list and is expected to start alongside Avery Williamson. Scales will be the only other available inside linebacker.

Wright will be elevated from the practice squad for the second time this season. A second-year pro out of UCF, he spent 2019 in training camp with the Steelers,  but was released after training camp. He was signed to the Steelers Practice squad on Dec. 1 and was promoted to the active roster for the Steelers’ Dec. 8 game against Washington, which starter Chris Boswell missed with a hip injury. 

Wright went 2 for 2 on extra points and made a 37-yard field goal, but head coach Mike Tomlin was unwilling to let him attempt what would have been a tie-breaking 45-yard field goal in the game’s final minutes. Wright will revert to the practice squad after Sunday’s game without having to clear waivers.

Boswell will not play on Sunday after suffering a groin injury in practice this week. He was limited on Thursday and did not practice on Friday.

Gray played extensively in the Steelers’ Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills while starter Matt Feiler (injured reserve, pectoral) and backup Kevin Dotson (shoulder) were out. Gray platooned with J.C. Hassenauer at left guard and drew praise from Benny Snell Jr. for his run blocking. Dotson is expected to return from his injury and start on Sunday against the Colts.

The Steelers’ seventh-round pick out of Maryland in 2019, Gray spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad and started the 2020 season there, as well, but was elevated to the active roster on Sept. 18. He played in five games this season, twice strictly on special teams and twice in mop-up duty before seeing more extensive action on Monday in Cincinnati.