Steelers Release CB Linden Stephens from Practice Squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released cornerback Linden Stephens from their practice squad, the team announced on Wednesday.

Stephens, 26, had been with the team since Oct. 13 and had not been activated for a game. Stephens was signed after the Steelers lost cornerback Mark Gilbert, who was signed by the Detroit Lions.


Stephens and wide receiver Tyler Vaughns, who was also cut on Wednesday, were replaced on the practice squad by punter Drue Chrisman and long snapper Rex Sunahara as the Steelers looked to shore up specialist depth with COVID-19 positive tests going through the locker room.

Stephens has been with eight NFL teams, including two stints with the Seattle Seahawks. The 6-foot, 193-pound native of Euclid, Ohio first joined the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati in 2018.

In 2020, he re-joined the Seahawks via waivers, and was promoted to the active roster on Sept. 23 following two weeks on the practice squad. Stephens played in 13 games for Seattle last year, playing mostly on special teams.

Stephens was with Washington this offseason, but was waived in August and joined the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Baltimore released him on Oct. 4.