Steelers Release Top Preseason Performer at WR

Chris Ward |

Updated: Sep 3, 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick before a preseason game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 9, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The Pittsburgh Steelers have released wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon. Fitzpatrick made a case for himself on the 53-man roster, but the Steelers decided to go with five wide receivers and kept Scotty Miller as the final receiver.

Fitzpatrick was the highest-graded Steeler (83.0) in the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions on Saturday, according to Pro Football Focus. Fitzpatrick had a nice 59-yard grab down the right sideline from Kyle Allen in the third quarter. He also had an impressive outing in the second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, leading the team with two receptions for 32 yards. He had a nice sideline grab from Justin Fields that went for 19 yards on third-and-7 against Buffalo.

Fitzpatrick’s strong performance in the preseason did not earn him a roster spot, but he could be signed to the practice squad like last year.

The Steelers signed Dez Fitzpatrick to a reserve/future contract on Jan. 11, 2023, after his practice squad contract with the Tennessee Titans expired following the 2022 season. During Fitzpatrick’s first season in Pittsburgh, he spent most of his time on the team’s practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for one game but reverted back to the practice squad after. In his one game, Fitzpatrick failed to record a stat.

The Titans selected Fitzpatrick with the 109th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Fitzpatrick was waived prior to his rookie season but re-signed with the Titans’ practice squad.

Fitzpatrick has played in six games over his first two seasons and has totaled five catches, 49 receiving yards, and one touchdown.

Coming out of high school as a consensus four-star recruit, Dez Fitzpatrick decided to take his talents to the University of Louisville. Fitzpatrick redshirted during his freshman season at Louisville and did not appear in any games in 2016.

Over his five years as a Cardinal, Fitzpatrick played in 48 games and racked up 154 receptions for 2,589 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. His 21 touchdowns ranked fifth all-time in school history.