The Pittsburgh Steelers released wide receiver Jacob Copeland in their first wave of roster cuts on Monday, the team announced. Copeland didn’t make much noise in the preseason. In Saturday’s preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, he was targeted once and he was unable to make the catch.
The Steelers signed Copeland on June 24. The Steelers had Copeland on their practice squad for two short stints in 2023. Copeland, 24, is a 5-foot-11, 201-pound wide receiver in his second professional season out of Maryland.
He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent last spring, but was waived at the start of training camp on Aug. 2. He then signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but was released on cut-down day on Aug. 29.
Copeland first joined the Steelers practice squad on Sept. 12, and remained there through Oct. 3. He then came back to the practice squad on Nov. 28 and was released on Dec. 4. He then signed a future contract with Kansas City for 2024 in January, but was released on May 4.
At Maryland, Copeland had modest production in his one season, catching 26 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. Before transferring to the Terps, he spent four seasons at Florida. His best year with the Gators was in 2021, when he caught 41 passes for 642 yards and four touchdowns.
The Steelers scouted Copeland in the pre-draft process at the East-West Shrine Bowl and his Maryland pro day, where he turned in an excellent Relative Athletic Score of 8.19, showing excellent straight-line speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (10-foot-7 broad jump) but below-average agility (4.47-second short shuttle).
The Steelers released eight players on Monday morning. It’s the first wave of roster moves as they cut down from 91 players to a 53-man roster by Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. Additionally, it has been reported that the team released cornerback Kyler McMichael, though that was not officially announced.
STEELERS ROSTER CUT TRACKER
RB Daijun Edwards
WR Jacob Copeland
WR/KR T.J. Luther
OT Devery Hamilton
OG Tyler Beach
DT Marquiss Spencer
LB Kyahva Tezino
CB Kiondre Thomas
CB Kyler McMichael