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Steelers Release Rookie Offensive Lineman
The Steelers have released guard Joey Fisher from their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Fisher was one of two players released from the practice along with Scotty Washington. Kwon Alexander was placed on injured reserve, too.
Pittsburgh first signed Fisher as part of the initial wave of signings following roster cut-downs back in August. His release leaves two open spots on the practice squad. Ryan McCollum and Kellen Diesch are still on the team’s practice squad as offensive linemen.
Fisher played with Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent at a Division II school in West Virginia, Shepherd. Those two got Senior Bowl invites and looked solid against higher competition. Fisher did not get drafted but signed with the 49ers, where the team waived him. Hailing from Baltimore, Fisher now comes closer to home by playing for the Steelers.
During the preseason in San Francisco, Fisher played 37 snaps, logging all of those snaps at left guard. He can play both spots but primarily played on the left side in San Francisco. While at Shepherd, he played at right tackle, giving him some intriguing versatility at 6-foot-4 and about 295 pounds.
During his pro day, he benched an absurd 40 reps while running a 5.03 40-yard dash. He tested like a freak athlete with 32-inch arms, which will likely cause him to slide inside full-time during his NFL career. The Steelers could give him a shot at tackle, though the 49ers shut that down quickly once he signed with the team.
Fisher became an All-American at the Division II level, starting three seasons for the Rams. He was also an All-PSAC First Team selection his senior season. Listed at 6’5″, 320 pounds by Shepherd, Fisher’s size, and success earned him invites to the Hula, NFLPA Bowl and Senior Bowl events for high-level college players hoping to be drafted into the NFL. His nastiness stands out on tape, which is what the Steelers love from their guards in the running game.