Steelers Release Former USFL Cornerback

The Steelers have released cornerback Nevelle Clarke as part of their eight cuts on Saturday, the team announced.

Clarke signed with the Steelers on Aug. 15 and joined the group after a rash of injuries at the position following their first game, including the injury to veteran Duke Dawson. However, Clarke never gained any significant ground on the cornerbacks that remained.

Coming out of the USFL when the team signed him, Clarke was the first signing for the New Orleans Breakers so far this year. With the team, he picked off two passes and racked up 26 tackles. Clarke played for two seasons with the Breakers. In 2021, he played in the Spring League with the Generals before finding his landing spot in the USFL.

Coming out of UCF in 2020, he did not get drafted, but inked an undrafted free-agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. While there, he competed for a job in training camp but was cut from the team during their final cut-downs. Since then, he has been unable to find a way back into the NFL until now. However, Clarke has garnered some workouts this offseason, including one with the New York Giants.

While with the Knights, Clarke earned first-team All-AAC honors in his redshirt Junior season. That year, he garnered praise for his ball skills with two interceptions and 13 pass breakups. Clarke participated in the East-West Shrine Bowl when coming out in 2020.

The Steelers must cut down from their 90-player offseason roster to the NFL-mandated 53-man limit by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The club has practice scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so they likely will wait until Tuesday to make the final cuts.  Players released earlier will include individuals the Steelers likely do not consider to be options for the practice squad, or veterans that they hope to allow to catch on with another team.