Even after the passing of the NFL trade deadline last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t done adding to their talent pool at wide receiver, as general manager Omar Khan has signed former All-Pro wide receiver and return man Jamal Agnew, according to report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Agnew, 29, suffered serious rib and shoulder injuries last year while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars that have had him sidelined ever since. He will join the Pittsburgh practice squad, according to Rapoport. The Steelers had previously worked out Angew back in September as he was rehabbing his injury.
RELATED: Steelers Work Out Veteran Wide Receiver Jamal Agnew
A 5-foot-10, 190-pound wide receiver, Agnew was originally a fifth-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2017 out of the University of San Diego, an FCS-level school in his hometown.
Agnew played four seasons with the Lions, but his best season came as a rookie in 2017, when he led the NFL with two punt return touchdowns, 447 total punt return yards and a 15.4 yards per return average.
He signed as a free agent with the Jaguars in 2021, and made the Pro Bowl in 2022 when he averaged 26 yards per kickoff return. In his career, Agnew has returned four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Agnew was rarely utilized as a receiver in Detroit, but stepped up that role in Jacksonville. He had 61 catches for 641 yards in his three seasons with the Jaguars. Last season, he caught 14 passes for 225 yards — a 16.1 yards per catch average — before his injury. In 2020 and 2022, he went over 1,000 all-purpose yards on the season.
Steelers wide receiver and punt returner Calvin Austin III suffered an injury during the team’s Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders, and his status moving forward is unknown. Scotty Miller has been the team’s backup punt return, but Agnew will provide quality depth at that position, as well as at wide receiver.
The Steelers have not announced a corresponding transaction.